U.S. Debt Relief

* Thank you for your Jan. 21 editorial, “Debt Relief for Mitch Victims.” Members of Congress would give far more attention to such noble ideas if they understood the consequences of no action. We can pay now or we can pay a lot more later. Human suffering, whether it is associated with poverty, politics or good old Mother Nature, is the most powerful force in the world for increasing rates of illegal immigration, infectious diseases and acts of terrorism.

Policymakers will be far more eager to forgive debt when they understand the real costs to their lack of generosity.

CHUCK WOOLERY

Rockville, Md.