MAIL BAG â??LETTERS FROM READERS

As a woman, I am used to being charged extra for household repairs. When the drum in my front-load washer stopped turning, I contacted the manufacturer and learned it was most likely the arms on the drum, which was the No. 1 problem with this model. The estimate? $500.

I called Rescue Appliance Repair (a fairly new business) in Plains Township and explained the problem. He agreed that the symptoms seemed to confirm the manufacturer's diagnosis. I asked about used appliances, and he had what I needed. He delivered it and at my request took the old one.

Two days later he called to say it was not the drum, rather something had become lodged in the washer. He asked if I wanted it returned.

He easily could have sold it and I'd never have known the difference. I was amazed to find such honesty and truly believe that because of his ethics and morals he will be very successful.

Kathy O'Boyle

Plains Township

The reason for this letter is to state a disheartening fact. We are allowing a very valuable resource in this country to be wasted. This resource is the education of our youths.

We have politicians who want to curtail or lessen our youths' educations for this big reason: to stabilize our economy. This is a smoke screen; the politicians aren't telling it like it really is. The funds that they say we are saving are being funneled to other uses, which might very well be of less importance to our future than the education of our youths.

Yes, I do understand that a large amount spent on education might not be needed, and we probably do need a closer monitoring of how our education dollars are spent – but not at the cost of the education of our children. We can't see the forest for the trees: Our children are lacking in the technical skills to survive in today's world. As we drag our feet and say we've got along so far, we are being like ostriches and saying if I can't see, it can't hurt me. We need to open our eyes – not settle for what is, but look to what can be.

The truth is Americans can have a beautiful future if we invest in our most valuable resource: our youths.

Robert G. LaBarre

Wilkes-Barre