US or the world first?

Regarding the Opinion page column "Clinton's Top Priority: Rebuilding America," Jan. 22: Why can't anyone, especially President Clinton, see the responsibility Americans need to take in order to strengthen America? We need to focus on our own problems and become less concerned with those of other countries.

I agree with the columnist that it is necessary to rebuild our own nation before we can successfully contribute to the prosperity of other countries in the world. How can we save the world when we can't save ourselves from self-destruction and national corruption? Tawnya Garrett, Rexburg, Idaho

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