Economic Summit in Houston

As a longtime reader of The Times, I was appalled to read of President Bush’s gifts of boots costing $1,000 to each of several summit visitors; how many shoes for children would that amount purchase? Or a healthy contribution to your own summer camp.

If it was his personal money then he shows a complete lack of sensitivity and if it was public funds then it’s a further display of the Republican shearing of the public fleece (savings and loans for $1,000 if you’re a friend, fat-cat contracts if you’re “one of the bunch,” HUD scams, ad infinitum ). When will we ever learn.

SYD BROWN

Los Osos