Entitlement Spending Crisis
* The Times’ editorial (Feb. 6) regarding government entitlements left out one very important fact: The Republicans in Congress have tried to make some basic and modest reforms to certain entitlements (namely Medicare and Medicaid) and have been blasted by President Clinton for their “Draconian cuts.” How do you expect the Republicans to address the issue of runaway Social Security costs when the press lets Clinton get away with his deplorable scare tactics to the senior citizens of this country? Specifically, why hasn’t The Times called a spade a spade? That is, it’s the president and the Democrats who are standing in the way of any real entitlement reform.
STEVEN ZELMAN
Manhattan Beach
* While there are valid arguments for frugality in government spend- ing, there is one general problem that seems to elude everyone. There is one general and basic need in our country today: It is called responsible behavior. There are too many who call themselves Americans who indulge in criminal acts, drugs, produce illegitimate children, lie, cheat, etc., and these behaviors cost billions of dollars each year. These people are selfish, nonthinkers and, in some cases, downright stupid.
While we might worry about entitlements in the years to come, the cost might be affordable if responsible behavior were to return to American society as a worthwhile goal. It is somewhat a waste of energy to worry about future funding when the major problem is ignored. As long as we as a nation refuse to face the reality and cost of irresponsible behavior and expose it for what it is, we will continue to fashion expensive programs that will never solve the problem.
DAVE FISCHER
Irvine
* Congratulations to The Times for “Red Ink Beyond 2002 Ignored in Budget Debate” (Feb. 5).
Both parties have long mesmerized us with their dramatic budget battles to “save our children’s future”; each party claiming moral superiority for its plan. Now, this article has revealed that both parties mislead us; that, in fact, neither party plans to seriously tackle the deficit until after present incumbents’ terms in office, and that both parties conveniently ignore the consequent economic chaos only eight years away.
JOHN CAZIER
Corona del Mar