I am writing to point out to readers some flaws in U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey's platform presented on Saturday. Toomey, R-Pa., is challenging current Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter. Toomey spoke to a roomful of Penn State students about the issues of this election and then opened the floor to questions. Some of the questions he received addressed the AIDS epidemic and the need for increased U.S. funding for programs that fight this global problem. Toomey's response to this question was that he supported the idea behind fighting AIDS, but it is hard for him, being very fiscally conservative, to send American money overseas when there are other appropriations needed here; plus, we are at war.

First, this implies that AIDS is an issue that only affects "others," not "us." AIDS is a disease that does not discriminate. Yes, the disease is more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. But, it is here as well. Second, Toomey had no problem sending more than $100 billion (of American money) to the war in Iraq (which is, just as a reminder, overseas). Americans must recognize the severity of a disease that kills 8,200 people a day and infects twice that number. We must do everything in our power to fight this epidemic and hold our elected officials to the same accountability. If Rep. Toomey wants to become "Sen. Toomey," he must address this issue without hypocrisy.