Help the poor to contribute to society

The moral and Christian aspects of our government’s mandate as listed by the Clerics of St. Viator will hopefully sway many to helping the less-advantaged Americans to grow with our country. However, we also need to improve the inequalities of life in the U.S. not as much for us but for the youngest among us and future generations.

America cannot meet its potential with one arm tied behind its back. Our disadvantaged citizens are, frankly, holding us back. The answer is not to squash them down further but to help bring them up to levels where they contribute to the growth of the U.S. community.

I’ve heard complaints that President Johnson’s Great Society has failed and was a waste of money. Possibly the bulk of the money spent in this and similar efforts was wasted. However, some programs had some value and the lack of 100 percent success should not negate the small gains that have been accomplished. We must have renewed efforts to bring as many as our citizens as possible into our society for them and for us.

Larry Garbarek

Des Plaines