Bush budget take from the needy and give to the rich.

A Strange Budget Cut

By BOB HERBERT

Say it ain't so, Mr. President.
You might think that with the country gearing up for war this would be the wrong time ; absolutely the worst time ; to cut federal school aid for the children of men and women in the armed forces.
Nobody would do that, right? Right?
Alas.
Undeterred by the anxiety and hardships faced by youngsters whose parents may be heading overseas, and perhaps into combat, President Bush has proposed substantial cuts in the government's Impact Aid program, which provides badly needed funds to school districts that have a significant number of students from military families.
The program was established during the Truman administration. When a school district is in an area that has military installations or other types of federal property, it is cut off from a range of revenue sources ; residential, business and industrial property taxes, for example ; that would have been available if the land and facilities were privately owned and developed. The districts are still obligated, however, to provide schooling for children whose parents are stationed or work at such facilities.
Is this another example of Bush's compassionate conservatism.
Well I guess there is some justification, the government needs the money for another tax cut for the rich.


http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/20/opinion/20HERB.html?th