Budget Priorities

* Two Nov. 4 front-page stories offer undeniable proof that our priorities need redefining. We give top priority to the purchase of 80 C-17 military cargo jets to the tune of $18 billion. Why? Both the U.S.S.R. and the Cold War are, as they say, history. Not only that, this plane flunked a key strength test--its wing failed!

The second story concerns the appalling condition of the New River. This river is spewing deadly carcinogens and viruses into the United States every day from Mexicali. One would think this situation should be a top priority of the Congress. It is not. Several reasons are given, but “basically there just hasn’t been the money.”

Need I say more?

SUZANNE ARCHIBALD-CHAPMAN

Laguna Niguel