Inouye Helps Hebrew Schools

I have lost respect for Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii). New York real estate developer and “friend” Zev Wolfson, representing a charitable group called Ozar Hatorah, drops $1,000 into Inouye’s reelection hat. In return, through Inouye’s efforts the American taxpayer is now going to provide $8 million for the incredible purpose of funding a private school program for the teaching of Hebrew and for religious instruction for a colony of Sephardic Jews from North Africa who have settled in France (Part I, Jan. 9).

Neither France nor the United Nations considers these people refugees, but by incorrectly and irresponsibly so designating them Inouye was able to reach through a loophole and get his hands on our tax dollars.

Because all this gets tacked on as a last minute “rider” to legislation that must be passed, Inouye’s scheme will be successful. It is time that the entire rider procedure be critically reviewed. And it is time that Inouye looked around to see if there isn’t something $8 million could do for public schools in the United States.

By his actions, Inouye has disgraced himself, insulted the American taxpayer and abused the legislative process.

JULIAN MALTESE

Santa Monica