Readers React: The dismantling of poverty programs

To the editor: The Republican agenda, and especially under the present administration, has always been to undermine or eliminate the meager safety net for the poor. The mystery is why so many of the very people for whom the safety net has been created constitute the base of support for this party and administration.

Michael Telerant, Los Angeles

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To the editor: So the Trump White House’s Council of Economic Advisors reports that “fortunately homelessness is rare in the United States.” If any of these certifiably compassion-free advisors took a look around Los Angeles, or any city and town in the country, they might have their eyes opened. But as that’s unlikely to happen, it’s up to the rest of us to realize that there but for fortune go you and go I. We must help those struggling with homelessness however we can.

Bennett Tramer, Santa Monica

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To the editor: First, let’s admit that the poverty programs do not work or we wouldn’t be talking about it today. The Trump administration is desperately trying to encourage Americans to take responsibility for their lives and for their destinies. That involves deciding how to make a living instead of depending on the government. If we want to be a free society, taking personal responsibility is essential.

Second, aside from the fact that it is not the government’s job to feed, clothe and house people, the social welfare programs have contributed to the bankrupting of our government. The argument that the rich can pay for it is false. If they gave all of their money, it still would not fix the problem. Take a look at the national debt. It is serious.

Andrea Anderson, Glassell Park

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