Solutions to the country’s myriad woes

To the editor:

The USA is in trouble. We can keep on doing what we're doing for a little while, but that will just make the inevitable calamity worse when it happens. No nation can continue forever to spend more than it takes in. Here's what I would do:

1. Reduce all government employee salaries and benefits to the average of their private-sector counterparts. Put their retirement on Social Security, just like the rest of us. Congress, too. If there's money somewhere for their separate pensions, put that into Social Security. It needs the money. Health care also. Medicare, like the rest of us. (Congress, too.)

2. Kids in public schools should be there 40 hours per week, just like the rest of us on our jobs. No summer off; two weeks vacation per year. Uniforms are required and supplied by the school. If a parent doesn't want his kid in this school, he can do what he wants. But don't expect government to pay for it.

3. Drug testing for all government employees and all recipients of government money. If they won't take the test, or don't pass, don't give them any job or any money. Have government-supplied wheat, soy milk and some vegetables for free for anyone. That's what you eat. (Grown in America.) Nothing else, unless they earn money, and then they can buy stuff in the market.

4. Vocational training is government-subsidized. No one gets into a major university unless he is academically qualified. Fill all government subsidized universities with those making the best scores, and throw them out if they don't keep up. (Private universities can do what they want, but they don't get government money.)

If we do this, we have an America whereby every able-bodied person does something for someone else and gets basic benefits in return. The kids learn academics and discipline. Trade schools make a world-class work force. And no one sits around all day with nothing to do and no pride in their contribution.

Charles Gould

Las Vegas