Children in Rags

Your Feb. 20 article about the L.A. children who can’t attend school because they literally have no shoes tore my heart out. Shades of “Angela’s Ashes.” But L.A. isn’t Limerick, Ireland! It is the United States of America! And we live in the richest state in the nation. The humiliation the children feel because they have to wear rags and go barefoot is almost worse than the hunger. How can we possibly cheer our booming economy while 72% of our children live below the poverty line? I wonder, I wonder!

SARA BELL DRESCHER

Los Angeles

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It is indeed sad to read about the youngsters who must endure days at school wearing tattered clothes. But no mention is made of the fact that a family that is obviously living in financial distress would choose to have five children. It is beyond me why sensible adults would opt for this situation.

ROBERT ANDREWS

Claremont