Soaring federal deficits. Problems keeping peace in Iraq. The loss of more than 2 million jobs in recent years, many to other countries. These are challenging times for our country, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop says.

What can we, as Americans, do? “Pray with all the sincerity and seriousness we can muster,” the congressman says.

Bishop, D-Albany, spoke to the Kiwanis Club of the Azalea City Thursday. He defined some of today’s challenges, with much of his concern focused on a federal deficit that could reach epic proportions if President Bush maintains his tax cuts.

“The red ink is a cancer that will kill us. It’s eating away at the foundation of this country,” Bishop said.

Americans are paying for a war that was not budgeted and continues to cost billions during a time when the economy has been in a slump. To keep cutting taxes and reducing revenue at the same time strikes the veteran congressman as illogical. He also said the cuts are “going to people who really don’t need it.”

Although Bishop voted to give the president the authority to oust Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq, he said there were greater threats than Saddam such as Iran and North Korea.

He also questioned the $20 billion to be spent in Iraq to reconstruct infrastructure to better than it was before the war, while parts of this country, especially rural areas, need such help.

Bishop, whose 2nd Congressional district covers the southern half of Lowndes County, is up for re-election this year. He is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

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If you’re looking for cool auction items and want to help some worthy local charities, be sure to attend Saturday’s Valdosta-North Rotary Auction at Mathis Auditorium.

Among the items offered for sale are an authentic Mexican dinner for 24 people at the Turner Art Center, 10 hours of private air transportation anywhere (1,400 miles roundtrip) and a girls glamour party for 10, including pedicures, manicures and facials.

Admission is $25 a couple and includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. Hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

This year’s auction benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, United Way, The Rotary Foundation, Alapaha Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, Turner Center for the Arts childrens’ programs, and the Georgia Rotary Student Program.

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Going to Atlanta or somewhere else in Georgia? The Georgia Department of Transportation has a user-friendly Web site that will show you areas of construction around the state.

In addition, the site gives information about “active incidents” or accidents on interstates and recently cleared incidents.

Check it out at www.dot.state.ga.us.

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Ron Wayne is the editor of The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at 24-3400, ext. 229, or e-mailed at ron.wayne@gaflnews.com.