Tax Credits for Children

Re “Are Some Children Worth More Than Others?” Commentary, Jan. 1:

Hurrahs to the observation that in our society some children seem to be “worth more than others.” Roberta Ikemi trenchantly observed that a current plan would create rewards or reprisals for additional children. I have been troubled with this plan that decides which children are worth support by increased benefits to middle-income households by a $500 tax credit per each additional child, while proposing to eliminate assistance for such a child on Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

It seems to me that all children place financial burdens on public services: education, recreation, or health. But that’s the price we pay to ensure the health and well-being of our nation.

Hopefully our legislatures will recognize this inequality and find more equitable means to balance the budget upon something other than the most helpless members of our humanity.

LEA PETRICK

Los Olivos

* Ikemi’s meandering piece, like others of its socialist ilk, attempts to use emotional appeals to honor, equity and equality to steer the reader away from the truth that a really logical handling of the subject would yield.

The central fallacy of Ikemi’s squishy logic appears in paragraph six; in attempting to juxtapose penalties on welfare recipients who continue to bear children with tax credits for middle-class parents, she makes the claim: “We are about to give the parents of middle-class kids a sizable hunk of money that we will take from the children of poverty.” A more precise claim would be: We are about to allow wage-earning parents to keep some of their own money for the purpose of rearing their children, rather than compel them to give it to those who are irresponsible enough to perpetually conceive children for whom they either cannot or will not provide. The presumption of possession of other people’s property is your first wrong turn, Ms. Ikemi.

PETER J. FRANCIS

San Pedro