Jackson’s Call for Social ‘Crusade’

* In his “Restore the Vision and Dream Again” (Column Left, Aug. 25), Jesse Jackson presents his usual gloomy portrait of an America without heart and his concomitant government-mandated solutions. He points to 11,000 inmates who are mostly illiterate, uneducated and thus implicitly, victimized by an oppressive, uncaring citizenry. Why are these people where they are? Why are the neighborhoods broken and the businesses gone? Who ultimately is responsible for their plight? Why is there a need for a “crusade” to force parents to educate their children, control their behavior, etc.? Does he not realize that just such activity occurs daily in millions of households across the country?

And then comes the inevitable socialist solution: Let’s use other people’s money. As if $3 trillion spent by the failed Great Society is not enough. As if an average 40% total tax burden on today’s taxpayer is not enough. Now, Jackson wants to grab our pension dollars!

No, Mr. Jackson, the people in Cook County Jail are there because they put themselves there. No amount of money from whatever the source will ever change that. Take the finger of blame that you and politicians of your persuasion have been pointing outwards for years and turn it 180 degrees. In the meantime, hands off our pensions.

KENNETH J. ARTINGSTALL

La Canada