SO-CALLED BIBLE BELT

I was lying back July 20 and enjoying
my day -- until I went through the newspaper. As usual, it reminded me how
upsetting reading the newspaper really can be.

The first articles I read were the prison industries columns (Perspective
section). Wow -- I can't believe we allow this nonsense to go on. Most of
our prisoners are working for less than minimum wage or working for no pay.
Is this fair? This isn't Guantanamo Bay. This is the United States of
America! If this weren't bad enough, a collect call from prison can cost
you $5 or more for only a 15-minute call. And after an outrageous phone
bill, families of inmates may not be able to afford to send any money for
snacks, envelopes, etc.

I believe inmates should be able to get compensated for their work -- or at
least to be able to work for their canteen and telephone privileges. It's
only fair. Many of this state's inmates are incarcerated for long periods
of time for minor drug offenses.

Now to the second part of the newspaper that bothered me: the help-wanted
ads. I believe things are going overboard when you have to have a perfect
background record to be able to get a job in this state. Is this another
way to disenfranchise people?

I can understand if you're working in a bank, law office or the courthouse,
but to be a painter? I even know of a staffing agency that can't get you a
factory job if you have anything on your driving record.

This is getting outrageous and has to stop. This is the Bible Belt, so I've
heard. I see churches everywhere, but forgiveness seems hard to find.

Andrea de Ugarte

Boiling Springs