International Readers Report

INEQUALITY: CAN THE U.S. CLOSE THE GAP?

Congratulations on "Inequality" (Social Issues, Aug. 15). You highlight an area of economic distress which, for far too long, has been ignored. The Council of Economic Advisers noted earlier this year that worsening inequality poses a "...threat to the social fabric that has long bound Americans together." It will take a staunch commitment by Congress, the Administration, and the American people to adopt policies and programs needed to rectify this gross inequality.

Amy Isaacs

National Director

Americans for Democratic Action Inc.

Washington

Government programs, such as the free lunch program, have tried to solve the "inequality" of students in our educational system, and it has not worked. Should not the conclusion then be that attempts to make people equal do not work? Instead you conclude that we need to be more active in our efforts to make people equal in the hope that the outcome seen in the past will be different in the future. Not a strong possibility.

Joel M. Barry

Agoura Hills, Calif.