TO THE EDITOR: In regards to Bob Herbert's syndicated column on April 4 ("Budget threatens children") about semantics in politics, the use of semantics is interesting. He has the view that a smaller increase is a cut. The House budget has a 1 percent cut in the amount of the increase, not off the already budgeted amount. According to Rep. John Boehner's office in Washington D.C., over the next five years, Medicare will increase by 7.9 percent, veterans by 6.9 percent, and an additional $11.1 billion will be spent on Medicaid, to mention a few.

The only way a tax base can grow is by strengthening the economy. The economy grows by having more people working and, by extension, having more money to spend. When was the last timesomeone on welfare or someone in need of Medicaid invested in the market, started a company, or expanded their business to get money flowing through the U.S. economy?

The top 10 percent of taxpayer's pay more than 70 percent of the taxes. A vibrant economy will reduce the need for entitlement programs.

Jeanne Kilgore, Sharonville

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Deficit spending will boost the economy

This is in response to Sen. George Voinovich's attempted explanation as to why he voted against President Bush's economic tax package and budget bill.

Voinovich's current fear of deficit spending given our country's economic situation is wrong. Deficit spending when faced with the possibility of deflation and high unemployment will improve the economy, not make it weaker. Proper stimulus will create jobs and therefore increase prosperity, which will in turn re-create a balanced budget or surplus in the longer term. Not acting to cut taxes fully will harm the economy, not help "future generations."

The second mistake Voinovich is making is not supporting the current administration on this issue. The country demonstrated a mandate at the last election to put a majority in the Senate and House to help the administration, not work against it. Voinovich had decided that he knows better, and he is wrong to follow this attitude of superiority.

I strongly urge that voters of Ohio work to see that this is his last term of office.

Fred Buckley, West Chester Township

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Clarify extracurricular home-school policies

I have some questions about the state Board of Education's policies and home-schoolers. Home-schoolers pay public school tax, and they are not permitted to use any of its activities and programs.

A 14-year-old home-school Milford resident tried to gain admittance to the Milford Eagles' swim team. Much to his disappointment, he was turned down because he was not a full-time student of Milford High School. His parents tried to compromise with the school, but their efforts were in vain.

Another home school high school student was very enthusiastic about participating in the Milford High School band. His parents tried to appeal the school, but to no avail. To fulfill their son's hopes and dreams, they enrolled him in the school. After hearing this, I called the school and asked about their home-school policy. It was explained to me there is no actual policy or resolution forbidding home-schoolers to participate in extracurricular activities.

Why is the high school enforcing a policy that does not exist? If this is a policy that they wish to enforce, have the school board pass one so that there is no question about the participation of non-full-time students in extracurricular activities.

Elizabeth Hammond, Loveland

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Gov. Taft reneged on campaign promises

Gov. Taft will never fool me again. After reading his rebuttal ("Governor responds to Enquirer story," April 3), I am forced to respond. There are so many issues that Taft flip-flopped on since he won re-election - concealed carry laws, state budget, taxes, just to name a few.

After listening to him on the campaign trail and then watching him renege on his promises, how does he expect us to believe anything he has to say now? By going after the services that strike a chord in everyone's' mind - school spending, elderly care, and mental hospitals - he thinks we will back his efforts on the sin taxes. I vaguely remember hearing that the state budget is fine and Tim Hagan is just down on Ohio. Hagan may have some crazy ideas, but he couldn't be as bad as Bob Tax, err Taft.

Jack Finamore, College Hill

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Tell us good news about new downtown

Many of us remember in the '50s and '60s taking a bus downtown on Saturdays for a time of shopping and lunch. Those days are gone, but now, 40 and 50 years later, there is a new downtown emerging. It's becoming an exciting place to be.

Those of us in the suburbs would like to be better-educated and informed about all the good news coming out of downtown Cincinnati. In the next two years, there will be grand openings of the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Contemporary Art Center, the renovated Taft Museum, a relocated Art Academy and the School for Creative and Performing Arts, as well as, other businesses and restaurants. We need to read more about these stories in the Enquirer, along with more information of coming events and how to access various web sites to educate ourselves.

We are all in this greater region together. We want to support a safe, exciting and enjoyable downtown. A lot of people are working hard toward, and succeeding in, this goal. Help us look for the good. Our local morning newspaper should love our town and actively promote this new era in Cincinnati's history.

Ellen Sole, Indian Hill

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We should not defame military

Our armed forces are fighting to defend and protect all of us. They are risking their lives and their families' welfare.

Have we forgotten September 11? Are we so spoiled that we defame and endanger those who protect us? I was a U.S. Marine. My fellow Marines were such fine men and women. Today's Marines are the smartest, most highly motivated Marines I have ever known. I'm frustrated that I cannot turn the clock back 40 years and rejoin the ranks of these magnificent warriors.

Ron L. Stone, Silverton

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Bloodshed necessary to keep liberty

Thomas Jefferson once said: "The tree of liberty must, from time to time, be nourished by the blood of patriots."

All praise and honors to our fine people in the armed forces. And especially to those who so loved their country that they laid upon its altar the ultimate sacrifice. What a contrast to those who despise their native land for perceived shortcomings.

Frank Light, Finneytown

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Broadway series once kept us all smiling

What ever happened to the happy-go-lucky Broadway plays of yesteryear? As you left the theater, you had a smile on your face, a song in your heart and a lift to your spirits. The 2004 Broadway shows won't give us any of those feelings. Instead, we will be reminded of the seedy, vulgar, profane side of life that is supposed to entertain us.

In protest, I am relinquishing my 2004 Broadway series tickets. I am only one voice, but many stand with me on this issue.

Judy Shuley, Southgate, Ky.

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Great American review was right on target

Polly Campbell's review on April 4 of the food at Great American Ball Park is a grand slam. Her review is by far the most fair and balanced one written about the Red's new park.

Tell her, I haven't found any metts either. Also, what happened to the sauerkraut formerly available to top a brat with?

Campbell also advocates something I strongly believe - the fans deserve a far bigger beer selection. Furthermore, the Reds need to quit calling the machine room a brew pub, it is most certainly not. Brew pubs brew their own beer on site.

In order for the fans to be able to identify the Great American Ball Park as being in Cincinnati, it needs to have more than Skyline coneys and Montgomery Inn ribs. How about sauerkraut balls, fried goett sandwiches and dill pickles on a stick?

Brian C. Becker, Montgomery

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Roosevelt encouraged criticism from public

I came across this quote, and I think it fits with what is going on.

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public" - Theodore Roosevelt 1918.

Justin Tepe, Cleves

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Trucker's actions insult to freedom

I sincerely hope trucker James Watters, who drove his rig close to war protestors in Cincinnati, is jailed if found guilty. The act of terrorizing is one of the dictionary's definitions of terrorism, and making peace demonstrators run in fear for their lives qualifies as such.

I am saddened by the idea that his son's battalion considers this threatening act worth lauding. Anyone who thinks forceful censorship is to be commended should remember the atrocities perpetuated in other countries to stifle free speech. How thankful they should be that our country doesn't treat its citizens that way. His act is an insult to any who fought for the right to vocalize different points of view.

Sheryl Taucer, Batavia