Family Planning

A letter from Dorsey W. Lawson of Pasadena states the case for targeting U.S. foreign aid to people rather than governments most eloquently (April 5). The sorry story of the World Bank has been loans to governments that benefit the oligarchy followed by austerity measures that hurt the poor and encourage destruction of rain forests. I’m sure most Americans would rather see a grass-roots approach, as advocated by Lawson.

“Let’s have our foreign aid provide nutrition, health care and schools for the impoverished,” the writer says. I would add “and family planning assistance.” The current Administration has been doing its darndest to cut off all U.S. aid to any overseas family planning program that allows the word “abortion” to be uttered on its premises. It is clear to most Americans that the control of Third World populations is crucial not only to the betterment of individual lives, but to the salvation of the planet.

ALISON FULLER

Altadena