Investing in the Poor

* Jack Valenti (“It’s Lights, Camera, Politics,” Commentary, Sept. 6) forgot to mention that Hollywood also served as executive producer of the presidential conventions, this year “investing” over $12.6 million--$4.7 million from individuals and $7.9 million from corporations.

Yet the real “drama” (not a sitcom) is here at home where over 80,000 homeless men, women and families sleep outdoors every night, half a million children live in poverty and millions more fall through a shredded “safety net” thanks to the new welfare “reform” bill.

With $12.6 million Hollywood could have “produced” four innovative work programs to help people earn their way out of homelessness, or three retirement homes for people over 70 who are now living on the streets, or two really great affordable housing communities that people earning the minimum wage can afford, or two outrageous wilderness camps for at-risk children, youth and their families.

Wanted: Hollywood producers with big hearts. Experience in investing in people. Some training provided. Guaranteed zero return on investment; high rate of return for humanity. Tax-deductions galore. Peace of mind. Possible deferred compensation in heaven.

JOHN N. HEALTHCLIFF

Santa Monica

Heathcliff is director of development for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.