Dear Editor,

Reference the proposed continued funding of Planned Parenthood: Just for a moment, forget that Planned Parenthood is the leading provider of abortions in the United States, or that they provide a number of more laudable, less controversial services.

In 2010 our federal government provided Planned Parenthood $360 million in public funding. About sixty cents of each dollar ($144 million) was borrowed, probably from China. Interest due now, at say 5 percent, amounts to $7.2 million. $2.88 million, 40 cents on the dollar, must be borrowed in order to pay the interest due. Another $360 million in funding is proposed for this year. Again, forty cents of each dollar must be borrowed. Planned Parenthood will have received a total of $720 million. We the people owe about $290 million in principle and interest. The year 2012 will soon come and so will another round of public funding and borrowing. One can easily see where this is going.

Given the choice, few of us, while paying down none of the debt, would borrow money to give away year after year. Hopefully, those elected to represent us will become better stewards of public funds and conclude that this funding must stop.

Judy Ormsby

Hamlet