The limits of ‘Freedom Man’ story

Your editorial “Hello, Freedom Man” was interesting and made me smile. However, the story in most reviews, including AI, it is noted as a “metaphorical anecdote used by Reagan to illustrate the American spirit and values.” Regardless, Reagan was good at telling stories, and make it entertaining, and most interviews have praised him for this talent for many years.

However, what I take exception to, is the attempt to imply that Reagan did not cut aid to needy children and families. Reagan, like Trump, cut SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (aid to women, infants and children), and other programs. Also, he made it much more difficult for adults to seek education to move into better jobs.

The fight to give a needy child a plate of food still goes on, while we shuttle off billions of our tax money to billionaires. There are 14 million children in this country who do not have enough to eat, yet we keep pouring billions of tax money to billionaires and their soulless and insatiable greed. We can build a ballroom on public land for a man who cannot dance. There is absolutely no reason that since the establishment of this county, children still do not have enough to eat, a decent education and a roof over their heads (habitat for humanity).

We have the structure, but are not being funded to meet the demand to move forward. Starving children are concerned with education, to move toward being productive members of the world and to better their circumstances. We never get over the hill.

Jay Sampson

Geneva