U.S. Debate Over Soviet Aid

In response to “How to Aid a Country That’s Coming Apart,” editorial, Sept. 4:

Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Les Aspin’s (D-Wis.) proposal of transferring $1 billion from the coming year’s military budget to provide humanitarian aid to the Soviets is commendable. However, our defense budget is $300 billion so the $1 billion he suggests represents only one-third of 1%.

We are certain grass-roots America would prefer Aspin to increase his proposal to a full 1% so that at the same time U.S. citizens could receive $2 billion in humanitarian aid to resolve the growing health care crises and the desperate need for affordable housing here in America. Without increasing our federal deficit, wouldn’t it be great to spend $1 billion to extend Medicare to persons of all ages?

Sure, we want to help foreign countries, but let’s not neglect the sick, the homeless and the hungry in affluent America. Let’s establish a golden formula: For every $1 billion our legislators want to give away, Congress must first find and transfer $2 billion to federal and state agencies committed to solving the social problems of our democracy.

ALFRED L. GOLDEN

DOROTHY M. GOLDEN

Sherman Oaks