(Ed.'s note: The following letter was sent to President George W. Bush and is printed here at the writer's request.)

In light of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, a friend of mine came up with an excellent idea: No foreign aid sent to any country until after these states and their residents have been restored to livable conditions and the people have their homes and businesses rebuilt. It makes so much sense to use all that foreign aid money for the victims of the hurricane. I think that's not only a stroke of genius, but let some of the other "democratic"' countries around the world chip in and pick up the slack that's normally provided by the United State of America. You know that old saying, "Charity begins at home!" Well, now is the time to put it into practice.

Also, we're wondering if the rock 'n' roll and country music stars will be giving a "relief concert" for their own countrymen. They are so quick to perform relief concerts for the rest of the world, now it's time for them to step up to the plate for their own country in its hours of need.

Just a couple of suggestions, but I'll bet if you tossed them out there at your next cabinet meeting, you might get a resounding vote of approval.

Mary and David Bojarski