A Monumental Mess

My family and I came to Washington recently for vacation. We took in all the sights and loved the museums and monuments. I stood in awe in front of the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution as I thought of our Founding Fathers and what they did.

The only thing I was disappointed in was the condition of the Mall, including the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial. I was expecting lush, weed-free and healthy grass and was surprised to see grass in bad shape. What really surprised me was the sheer mass of animal waste that ran the whole length of the wall of the reflecting pool.

What a shame. This government can find billions of dollars for banks, insurers and car companies that ran themselves into the ground but can't keep the grounds of our treasured monuments in good shape. Hire some people to spread some seed and fertilizer and scoop up the waste. It's embarrassing.

RAY VERBANO

Grapevine, Tex.