Reward for the rich 

I was disappointed to read the Oct. 25 article about the House Republicans' so-called "economic stimulus plan." It is obvious that President George W. Bush and the House Republicans are supporting big business and the wealthiest Americans with this plan. 

Of the $100 billion dollar package, $25 billion will be going toward tax cuts for IBM, GM, Chevron, Texaco and other major corporations. Sounds like corporations have the Republicans right where they want them: in their pocket. 

This plan has completely forgotten the working families of America. Instead of securing unemployment insurance, job training and health care coverage, Bush and the House Republicans decided to give the wealthiest 1 percent of citizens a tax cut. 

There is also a total lack of provision for those people, such as the laid-off airline workers, who have been affected by the Sept. 11 tragedy. The First Things First Act, introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., would include a response to the Sept. 11 needs, ensuring Social Security and Medicare trust funds, funding for education and more. 

A real economic stimulus bill would target tax cuts and government spending to the working majority of this country, not the wealthiest 1 percent. I hope that our senators disregard this ill-conceived House measure and pass a real stimulus bill. 

Caroline Staerk, St. Louis