Funds for School Lunch Program

I would like to make a couple of comments in reference to Ellen Goodman’s commentary “Let Them Eat Ketchup” (Feb. 24). First, the reason the school lunch program is on the GOP “chopping block” is because we have found out that it doesn’t work. The amount of money that is being spent on the lunch program is way out of proportion to the number of children who actually need a handout. In my experience volunteering time to my local elementary school, I have seen as much as two-thirds of the school lunches thrown into the trash can. The cafeterias cannot legally save most of the food nor can they give it away. I would be more than willing--and I am sure that I speak for more than just a few other concerned parents--to pack an extra lunch for an underprivileged child. And I don’t need the government or the state to tell me what is or is not nutritious.

Second, when my parents were growing up during the Depression, they had even less than the children Goodman calls poor. In their days, charity was defined as giving an out-of-work friend a temporary job so he could at least keep his dignity. My family survived. I think that the poor people today will also learn to survive and the struggle will build their character and give them wisdom. It is foolish to believe that just because a government program is cut that people are going to die of malnutrition. It is equally foolish to believe that government, with it’s myriad of programs and regulations, can take the place of common sense and proper parenting!

RANDY BACA

San Dimas

I read that the Republicans in a great orgy of showing “power” are taxing the schoolchildren by taking their meals (Feb. 24), which are designed to give the students enough energy and stamina to do well in classes, (while they blame everyone but themselves for the “failure” of the schools). All in the name of balancing the budget.

We hear of several groups of people that have prospered during the last several years a great deal more than the vast majority of us. Some of them have been caught in various illegal deals. Others have ruthlessly, even though running profitable businesses, fired thousands of employees so the businesses can make more profits. They answer that everything is fair as long as they are not hurt.

Why are the legislators of this country not courageous enough to ask these industries to return some of the deficit they have received? This is one of the “tough decisions” they cannot make.

W. N. LeBARON

Laguna Hills

I gave my 11-year-old daughter a basic lesson in politics, thanks to your paper (Feb. 24). It took all of a couple of minutes. I showed her the headline (“Panel OKs Ending U.S. Role in School Lunch Program”) on how anti-hunger cuts would affect 4,000 in this small area.

Then I explained to her that it was the Republicans who were carrying out this plan. I explained that in two years, at election time, the parents of these children would remember this event and vote against these same Republicans. Not only the parents of these children but all those who are sympathetic and see the value in these programs.

I didn’t mention to her these same Republicans were adding billions to the military budget.

But I guess that’s the right thing to do; guns, bullets and espionage instead of bread, butter and healthy bodies for the people of the country.

RON LOWE

Nevada City, Calif.