Kingly Inaugural

Among political pundits, the Carter Administration has been perceived in derogatory terms. As each four years come and go, his tenure of office looks better and better to me, at least, on several levels, one of which is described by columnist Roger Simon (“The Good, the Bad and the Inauguration,” Jan. 18).

Simon points out that Jimmy Carter’s inauguration bash cost $3.5 million, Ronald Reagan’s first was $15.5 million, Ronald Reagan’s second was $20 million, and George Bush’s came in at some $25 million. A chunk of that sum was taxpayers’ money. Some, I’m told, was private. All of it, however, was in very bad taste when displayed alongside increased numbers of the very poor and the homeless, particularly in Washington.

One thousand points of light, indeed! Circuses, instead of bread--a slogan from Roman times--still applies.

HARRY CIMRING

Los Angeles