SICK, DISABLED NEED HELP AND COMPASSION

The "children and families" referenced in Pam Seamans' letter ("State needs
revenue, not more budget cuts," Aug. 7) include people trying to cope with
mental illness, developmental disabilities and/or substance addictions, and
their families.

These people are not "ruthless socialist parasites" nor are they "lazy and
irresponsible" as pronounced by Larry Emory (letter, "Pork-barrel projects
receive funding first," Aug. 15).

They are sick people who need the support of a caring and compassionate
society, which for the most part our society is. They do not seek to be
"canonized."

If their families could pay for treatment they would gladly do so, and they
do nearly exhaust their resources before turning to public agencies. They
need that safety net, which has been seriously depleted by significant cuts.

The various signers of the Seamans letter represent coalitions of nonprofit
advocacy and professional agencies in health, mental health and other
social needs. None of them have their "noses in the public trough" and none
would have working families suffer. They know that altogether we can afford
to provide the health, mental health and other services without seriously
depleting the incomes of any of us.

To further respond to Emory, there is serious corporate welfare in the
budget. An exemption of $50 million was granted to a corporation in 1988
for building a cookie factory and employing 600 people. No building was
built; no person employed.

The exemption remains and now amounts to some $85 million annually.
Removing this loophole would be fairer to all of us who pay our share of
taxes of compassion.

J. Wilbert Edgerton
Greensboro