LETTERS: PUBLIC NEEDS CIVICS EDUCATION

To the editor:

From reading various comments in the paper's Speak Out columns, it is obvious that there is a vast amount of misinformation in the public.

Your newspaper, being the main source of detail-written information, could perform a much-needed service.

I am referring specifically to the duties and functions of the three branches of federal government.

In time past -- I am a senior citizen -- this was taught in grade and high school. Evidently many skipped school those days or now need a refresher.

I can see where just hitting the highlights could take a whole series of articles. This should be not only the textbook explanation, but the practical, real-life method on how laws originate and get voted on the books.

Someone said that government is a matter of compromise. But what isn't? A few points that come to mind might be:

1. Who originates various laws, including taxes.

2. Joint committees.

3. Committee chairmen (selected mainly by seniority in the majority party) decide when and if the committee even meets.

4. A resolution or law may be approved by all parties involved, but if the money to operate is not appropriated, then nothing happens.

5. The Supreme Court is supposed to act based on laws passed by Congress, not make new laws.

6. The U.S. president cannot create a new law, nor can he, on his own authority, commit the United States to a war. A so-called police action is another story. Nor can he raise or lower taxes.

U.S. senators and representatives generally have first interest in their own districts and states -- and a desire to get re-elected -- and then geographical areas, their own political party, then the interests of the other 49 states and then the world.

I am sure you get the general idea. Theory is one thing, and practicality is another. People often say that there should be a law for or against this or that. Perhaps your newspaper could help us understand the how.

ROBERT L. RUFF

Cape Girardeau