One of the best ways to ensure that people in the lower economic bracket will not get jobs is to cut funding to GED programs. Without a GED or high school diploma, people cannot join the military, pick up trash or work in many of our local restaurants or nursing homes.

Last April, our classes in the county GED program, located at 905 N. Main, Normal, were so full that we had to tell prospective students to "come back in the fall." With the current funding situation, we may not have anything to offer them this fall.

I am an English teacher who chose to switch from high school to GED teaching because I saw life changes occur in people who had been given a second chance to complete high school. Not only their skills but their confidence, self-worth and their ability to work with others increased so that they left the program believing that they could succeed in both the academic and the work world.

People who see themselves as failures do things associated with failing. Our state does not need more crime, abuse or unemployment. GED programs combat those things. I pray our legislators and all Illinois citizens will support funding for these vital programs.

Barbara Lee

Normal