Our best defense

Page A-6 of Wednesday's Post-Gazette reported that school districts in North Carolina, California, Illinois and New York are planning severe reductions in their teaching staffs because of the economy ("Budget Woes Imperil Thousands of Teachers Across the Country," April 21). There is no money.

This is happening while our government is pouring money into wars, into arms for Israel - all for the putative safety of our democracy. The truest safety of our democracy lies in a well-educated citizenry.

MARY ANN SCHMERTZ

Wilkinsburg