I'm also appalled that the plans to include light rail access to the Social Security Administration intentionally keep the light rail as far as possible from the SSA complex out of some inexplicable security concerns.
The current SSA Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) was moved from the Rotunda to Symphony Center in 2002 to be CLOSER to both light rail and subway facilities. In that light, how can SSA claim that its Woodlawn complex should be in an ivory tower while its district offices and ODAR attempt (valiantly in my opinion) to accommodate penurious, car-less and in many cases non-weight-bearing claimants?
Paul R. Schlitz Jr., Baltimore
Don't waste money on space
Has anyone ever thought of doing a public survey regarding the current and future demands for money generated by our country's space program?
I'm sorry, but it is very incongruous that while we, the American public, are finding it necessary to cut back, give up and do without (sometimes on things like homes and food), the space program continues to drain resources that frankly could be put to better use.
I could care less about the moon, Mars, space, astronauts and rockets right now. The billions frittered away on all those things might help the "little people," we average Americans, hang on a little longer.
Diane Anderson
Financial TV is a siren song
Wall Street Week's Anne Darlington is correct in believing financial shows on TV have let us down ("Financial TV pioneer spurns genre's hard sell," July 21).
Money gurus like Suse Orman, Jim Cramer and Louis Rukeyser have grown rich while the rest of us are swimming in debt and kicking ourselves for thinking we could have it all. It's ironic the 30 year growth of financial TV coincided with some of the most reckless, foolish financial behavior in our history.
We have been convinced we're entitled to the life of the rich and famous. We expect that with due diligence it can be ours. Another falsehood foisted on us is that borrowing for mundane needs is OK. Then consider the unrelenting marketing of expensive goodies, those "must haves" you think you need but can't afford. Now you have the makings of fiscal disaster.
When did these financial gurus ever condemn credit default swaps, subprime mortgage "bundling" or the relentless disappearance of American manufacturing? All they provided was the warm bath of happy talk and "get rich" mantras. Obviously, these multimillionaire money-mentors didn't want to end their tea party.
Face facts - financial television is entertainment. There is nothing entertaining about saving for a rainy day. When you can buy a $3,000 handbag on credit, why worry?
Roz Ellis, Baltimore
