Skimp on chimps, not people

No wonder this country is broke. Take a look at the article in The Bee on Jan. 24, Page B-5 ("Research chimps may be headed from labs to leisure"), about spending $30 million to build a center for research chimps. The annual cost of $13,000 per chimp for 300 chimps comes to $39 million per year. The $13,000 is more than we get for a federal deduction for a dependent on one's income tax.

It might only be $30 million, but how many homeless shelters would that build? How many veterans would $39 million per year help? We are talking about human beings versus chimps. This is why this country is broke. The House and Senate need to get their priorities correct.

RICHARD PROVOST

Modesto