Southland Jobs and Free Trade

David Friedman (“Southern California-Bashing at Its Gloomiest, Paid For by Its Victims,” Opinion, Aug. 2) bemoans the recent planning forecast issued by the Southern California Assn. of Government because of its bad press value.

It’s been my experience, however, that one must keep both open and focused ahead to avoid driving into the ditch.

Ignoring and covering up problems will not make them go away. The truth is that Los Angeles simply cannot supply entry-level employment or social support systems for 6 million more of the world’s poor by the year 2010. If we face the problem now by regaining control of our borders, we can avoid the ditch. If we put our heads in the sand, we are going to have a lot more to worry about than bad press.

WILLIAM D. WATSON, Redondo Beach