It's not only heartless ...

Gov. Mark Sanford's proposal to cut state funding for the Meals on Wheels program for elderly South Carolinians is not only heartless, it also is false economy. ...

We agree with the governor that the failure to assure steady sources of funding for multiyear programs has been a bad habit on the part of the Legislature. Nonetheless, we can't see the sense of trying to teach state lawmakers a lesson by cutting off meals to thousands of senior citizens. Besides, proponents of continuing the program are trying to get lawmakers to do the responsible thing and provide permanent funding for Meals on Wheels.

But continuing to give these elderly South Carolinians one hot meal a day - and some attention from the people who deliver them - also makes good economic sense. For many of these seniors - including 147 in York County - that one meal can be the only thing allowing them to live independently in their homes. Without it, they would have to move to nursing homes.

Nursing home placements cost an average of $45,000 a year. ...

Providing meals for the needy elderly is both compassionate and practical. We hope lawmakers find the money to make the state contribution permanent.
The (Rock Hill) Herald