Watching a recent "60 Minutes" and reviewing that weekend's news brought the tragedy of unemployment home.

We see how unemployment deprives people of dignity and self-worth with the threat of losing homes, feeding their families and having their lives in constant turmoil. While this is happening, presidential candidates and financial wizards debate with their formulas for balancing the budget in 10 years.

During past crises, we put people to work in infrastructure, shoring up our bridges and improving our school facilities. It helps the country, gives people dignity and improves the functional economy of the country. None of this seems to be mentioned as a solution to the unemployment tragedy. Another idea ignored is a youth corps to take young people off street corners and prevent them from joining gangs and dealing drugs.

We reach out to people in need around the world. Let us concentrate also on our own unemployed and needy.

Allen Kupfer

Bluffton