Rep. Archer on Poor Children

Rep. Bill Archer (R-Tex.) suggests placing children of the indigent in foster care (Nov. 11). Doesn’t he realize that this would merely shift the taxpayer “burden” of caring for these children from one government agency to another?

I suggest that he and his fellow Republicans take a serious look at “A Modest Proposal” satirically offered by Jonathan Swift in the 18th Century--leave the poor out in the cold to starve and sell their young children to the wealthy as a source of food.

Archer could, like Swift, claim that this plan would promote “the public good” and would no doubt find great support among today’s electorate.

HELENA MECARTEA

Agoura

* I have a great idea--instead of our manufacturing companies using child labor overseas, we can open our own workhouses for children. Why should Third World children get all the breaks? Of course, loving homes must still be found for those under 3 years of age who are taken away from parents too irresponsible to find jobs.

What a glorious new day; I’m so proud to be an American.

WILLOW D. STREETT

Long Beach

* Republican lawmakers, flush with election victory, have proclaimed their dedication to slashing welfare payments.

I’m all for cutting down on waste, but the Republicans are targeting the wrong folks: The poor and indigent don’t have much money, nor do they get much from the government as a percentage of the overall budget.

The real “welfare problems” include farmers in the Midwest that are paid to not grow produce; agribusinesses in California’s San Joaquin Valley whose water is so heavily subsidized that they pay 5% by volume what urban users pay, and miners and ranchers who basically freeload on our public lands, paying pennies an acre in rent.

CHRIS FORD

Santa Monica

* Right on GOP! It’s a big boost for family values when Archer says if you can’t support your children, they’ll be put in foster homes. Deny benefits to teen-agers who have babies! How many more newborns will be found in trash cans under this plan?

BETTY DECTER

Los Angeles