Gazette stories should feature ‘real’ people

Shame on you, Gazette. Why are you featuring a woman (Diane Hagarty, June 9 story, “Shopaholic kicks habit with garage sale”) who obviously has too much time on her hands? With so many people without jobs trying to feed their children, with so many single women (and men) trying to raise their children, with so many children going without the bare essentials, you feature someone who may be Cedar Rapids' answer to Paris Hilton.

How many meals for the elderly could all that money have fed? How many pairs of shoes or school supplies could that have bought for children? And, shame on Mr. and Mrs. Hagarty. How many people are under the care of a therapist for legitimate reasons? And, shopping is her therapy? Please!

Next time one of your reporters wants to write a feature, why don't they pick someone who is struggling to raise their children or taking care of an elderly parent? Why feature someone who obviously is not living in the real world?

Grace A. Chalk

Marion