As the instructor of the Contemporary Concerns class at the Auburn Senior Activity Center, I have led many discussions on the future policy of the American government and what those policies should be. Here are some suggestions that the class has agreed on:

1. The U.S. government is overextended in the world. We have a major national debt and run large yearly deficits. We need to tell the Iraqi government that they now must fight their own wars. We cannot afford to lose more American soldiers in their cause, nor afford to lose billions of dollars supporting their cause.

2. We will have to pay the cost of gas imported until we develop electric cars, hybrids, etc. We all can cut down on our driving. If we cut our driving by 40 percent, the price of gas will fall.

3. Health care for all is probably not possible. American health care is pricing itself out of consideration for the average Americans. Only the wealthy and those on Medicare can afford it. And soon Medicare probably will not be able to afford it. The class saw no solution to this cost problem.

4. The foreclosure problem was caused by buyers purchasing better than they could afford and loan agencies making loans without requiring commensurate salaries to make the payments. Loan agencies need to lengthen their payment schedules to help buyers hang onto their homes. Buyers need to buy only what they can afford.

5. Of course, we must protect our own shores against the terrorists and be agreeable about inspections ... boarding airliners, etc., and honor our military that is protecting us.

– Dr. Harold B. Valentine

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