In this age of cynicism, there does exist an effective, American foreign-aid program which actually saves lives and isn’t wasting tax dollars. The anti-malaria initiative was enacted in 2005 under President George W. Bush. This disease is largely preventable. Fortunately, the United States government is providing funding for insecticide-treated bed screening and other treatments. These efforts have proven so effective that the African nation of Tanzania has virtually eliminated malaria on the island of Zanzibar.

This fiscally responsible and life-saving program is on the government chopping block. President Obama has proposed reducing next year’s allocation; however, this bipartisan program should be continued at the necessary funding levels. I believe that a tax-supported program, which is fiscally responsible and is saving the lives of young Africans and other third-world children, is needed and should not be reduced.

Tim Seale, Miami