Could Some Government Programs Be Life-Destroying?
Re “Politics and the Million Moppet March” (June 5): Robin Abcarian is a fine example of the prevailing liberal viewpoint. Compassion is money, whether yours or someone else’s.
Never mind if the money spent is helping or not. Never ever acknowledge the assertion that the money is not simply wasted, but actually used in ways that are harmful.
The Republican reforms are meant to help people, to help children, to take money away from those who misuse it and to help give it to those who need it. Of course, stopping wasteful and in some cases life-destroying programs will mean less money is spent or needed. But liberals only judge by the pennies spent.
ANDREW ROBINSON
Sun Valley
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Robin Abcarian’s column on the Stand for Children in Washington reveals a dangerous naivete about the current state of affairs in politics. Abcarian believes the demonstration was obviously a partisan affair, though she declines to state which party is clearly in favor of children. Her naivete is the assumption that Democrats are somehow going to bat for children, and that they and the president will stand up for children.
Much damage has already been done to the children of this nation. The Washington march should serve as a wake-up call to people who are complacent with the status quo, and unconcerned by child-saving Democrats embracing things like the “Minnesota Plan” or the “Governor’s Plan” for welfare reform.
The status quo is not satisfactory, and the neglect of this nation’s youth, by Republicans and Democrats alike, is reprehensible.
JOHN MARTIN GALLAGHER
Lawndale
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Thank you Robin Abcarian for pointing out the phony apolitical pose of the Stand for Children group. But she doesn’t go far enough. The very phrase “America’s Children” is political because of its underlying assumptions.
America does not have children; individuals do. America as a government has roads, office buildings, parks and armies. But it does not have children.
My three children are my wife’s and my responsibility. My childless friends have no more responsibility for their welfare than they have the right to tell me how to raise them. It’s that simple.
JAMES BASS
Thousand Oaks