The editorial cartoon published Feb. 16 was deceiving and did not reflect the facts.

Federal spending is about $3.6 trillion a year. Cutting government spending by $85 billion a year is a mere 2.3 percent. Since this is a baseline cut, actual dollars spent will still increase.

In the cartoon, Uncle Sam loses his leg; maybe a toenail would be more accurate.

The media are sensationalizing the potential cuts in spending, never explaining baseline cuts to the public. The public should be told facts, not scare tactics.

Charles F. Lenzinger

Hilton Head Island