Peace Corps Post Should Not Be Political Payback

Re “Not the One for the Peace Corps,” Aug. 20:

I have had on-and-off relations with the Peace Corps since its inception in 1961. Four of my sons served in it.

The Peace Corps, nearly everyone agrees, has been one of the best federal agencies, if not the best. After 40 years, there are now over 150,000 returned volunteers. They are found in Congress, the Cabinet, federal and state agencies. Some have become governors. Returned volunteers are in important business and church organizations.

Unfortunately, every president since Kennedy has made the directorship a political reward. Some of these turned out well. President Reagan’s was excellent: the late Loret Miller Ruppe. But Gaddi Vasquez’s nomination leaves much to be desired.

As we now have such a large and excellent pool of returned volunteers, the director should be one of them. There are many good ones who are Republicans.

What has Vasquez ever done for the Peace Corps or even volunteer agencies with overseas service?

Charles W. Arnade

Distinguished Professor

International Studies University of South Florida

Tampa