President’s State of Union Address
Re “Pave the Bridge With Education,” editorial, Feb. 5: You are almost on target in commending President Clinton for his an- nounced priority on education. This is a solid, long-term goal. The enemy is no longer, as you say, enemy missiles.
But we must ask our schools to do far more than make our work force competitive again: They must teach us also how to live together in this country. Schools are our ultimate weapon in creating citizens who can treat each other with respect. If we do not allow our schools to do this, no number of competitive workers will save us. Good social studies is also critical.
JOHN HERGESHEIMER
Whittier
* Why is it that two years ago when Speaker Newt Gingrich mentioned a computer for every student at home he got laughed at by all the press? The president says it and gets applause? Who says there is not a double standard?
THOMAS SLED
Grover Beach
* What a sight, to see the Republicans, and some Democrats, wringing their hands after the president’s speech in which he proposed major help to students and their parents for financing a university education! “Yes, we believe in education,” they said, “but, oh, we must balance the budget.”
If only these well-intentioned stalwarts of fiscal responsibility would look at the Department of Defense budget. That bloated pork barrel could easily be cut by the $50 billion necessary for our next generation’s education. We don’t need more B-1 bombers, submarines, or “Star Wars” weapons. The Soviet Union is long gone. Isn’t it time for the peace dividend?
BRUCE JOFFE
Piedmont, Calif.
* Whoever decried the sound bite as misleading? Tuesday night, the television recorded President Clinton with Speaker Gingrich in the background, both with their fixed political smiles while the former spoke about the need for honest government (and by implication, governors). No one could read this scene on face value; it gets its clear meaning as a piece of irony--or even, political sarcasm--delivered from both men.
ROBERT L. WOODS JR.
Claremont
* Rep. J.C. Watts’ (R-Okla.) response to the “socialism on the installment plan” speech by the president was very refreshing.
The president has something for everybody--but who pays for it? He never mentioned that, because he knows it will be your children and mine and our grandchildren who will pay for the unbelievable nationwide debt the president plans to build up to pay for his grandiose schemes.
Watts gave an excellent review of the Republican position. We look forward to his election to higher offices as time goes on.
FRANK DREWE
Glendale
* This is in response to both the president’s State of the Union address and Alvaro Vargas Llosa’s Jan. 20 article regarding macroeconomic reform in Latin America (Commentary). I was surprised that Clinton cited Mexico as a shining example of how fiscal and monetary policies mandated by the U.S. were responsible for that country’s rejuvenation. To the contrary, micromanagement by the U.S. in the Mexican economy will perpetuate the underlying social problems that impede its long-term economic stability.
It would be more advantageous to assist Latin America in developing social and political institutions that serve as the foundation of an efficient free-market economy. Without taking incremental steps, we are likely to instigate numerous bad examples in our economic relations with Latin American economies.
BRIAN T. LECHNER
Irvine
* President Clinton’s announcement that he will seek a 12% boost in environmental spending signals a long-awaited recognition from this administration about the importance of our natural world. What disturbs me is the quote attributed to a White House aide who said, “Discretionary programs are way down across the board. Environment and education are the main exceptions.”
Placing the environment in the category of a “discretionary” exception is ludicrous! Until our country’s leaders comprehend that clean water, air and maintenance of the food chain are not just important but necessary for our survival, I fear for the future of the human race.
MARCIA HANSCOM
Malibu
