Sweeping Overhaul of Welfare Signed

* Re “Clinton’s Signature Launches Historic Overhaul of Welfare,” Aug. 23:

Let’s stop kidding ourselves. The employment goals of the new national welfare law are inconsistent with federal monetary policy. The latter maintains unemployment at about 6%. As people move off welfare and into jobs, the Federal Reserve Board will respond by raising interest rates to restore customary rates of unemployment to “prevent the economy from overheating.”

The harsh new welfare law is based on bogus assumptions about job growth. In light of our monetary policy, it is clear that we are merely forsaking the poor. As the gulf widens between the haves and the have-nots, what sorrows await us?

THOMAS PRINDIVILLE

HIGGINS

Ventura

* As the president of a Christian nonprofit organization, I say, “Hallelujah” to the new welfare legislation! It emphasizes individual initiative over welfare, personal responsibility over dependency and local solutions over federal mandates. In addition, the little-noticed charitable choice clause gives long-deserved recognition to the power of faith-based programs in teaching an individual to become productive, responsible and self- sufficient. Our own 47-year history proves these programs work.

We’re ready to meet the challenge of an increased demand for services. And to that, I say, “God help us.” MIKE EDWARDS

President, Los Angeles Mission

* Instead of the liberal Democrats bemoaning the end to “welfare as we know it,” they should instead join forces with those Republicans like myself who now wish to “end corporate welfare as we know it.” Soon maybe welfare of any type will be a thing of the past here in America except that which helps you raise yourself out of misery.

HUGH J. KELLY

Redondo Beach

* Welfare reform is here. It also appears that an unconscionable financial burden has been imposed on Los Angeles County taxpayers. The federal government has simply shifted the burden of welfare on local folks. Right now, even without growth, we have a financial deficit in L.A. County. A simple California law, passed 30 years ago, makes counties the provider of last resort for the state’s needy.

The state must repeal immediately the safety-net law, otherwise we have a colossal unfunded mandate. Under the current conditions, L.A. County will not be able to operate for long. Law and order, fire, health, senior services, parks and recreation, libraries, etc., will be only memories. It is time for taxpayers to speak up.

THOMAS KARDOS

La Puente