As we near the Fourth of July and embarking on celebrating our independence by setting off fireworks, my thoughts go out to the multitude who are struggling to pay their rent and utilities.

All the massive expenditure on the fireworks display could go towards helping those who need a roof over their heads and food on their plates for themselves and their children.

I ponder on what does this mean to me, “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave” and I think that we each need to figure how we can change the way we celebrate during this time of economic distress and our troops abroad fighting two wars.

The very simple basic ethic is to want for others what we want for ourselves.

Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council, which operates the Congregations for the Homeless shelter program for single homeless men, reports that poor economic conditions have affected the type of clients they serve. More men fall into the 34-55 age range instead of the 22-34 age range, and they tend to already have job skills. The unemployment rate is 65 percent for those entering the program, and 34 percent have no income.

Farida Hakim, Bellevue