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Couve & Grandeur
Sir: Your wonderfully elucidating story on France's Foreign Minister [Feb. 7] reminds me once again that Americans "love France and hate the French." The U.S. has been "achingly slow to learn" that popularity is not diplomacy.
M. D. GALL AW AY Richmond
Sir: A vital factor in any consideration of the foreign policy of France is that Frenchmen never forget that their country is one of the oldest states in Continental Europe, and has played an important role as a great power continuously from the Dark Ages up to the Second World War. Now they believe that France is potentially a great power and will become one again in fact. Only in this context can we grasp De Gaulle's politique de grandeur.
C. LAWRENCE HUANG New York City
Sir: In contrasting France's small resources with her diplomatic power, allow me to quote an old Chinese saying: "Do not try to borrow a comb from a shaven monk."
V. S. PAN Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Sir: Cheers for France, De Gaulle, and Couve! Would that the U.S.A. could take a hint and realize that spending vast sums for diplomacy demands skill and not the bungling of do-gooder politicians. (MRS.) ESTHER MONTGOMERY STRONG Englewood, N.J.
Poverty in the U.S.
Sir: Your article about Michael Harrington's book, The Otlier America: Poverty in the U.S. [Feb. 7], was enlightening. Many people seem to believe that the situation in America is as John Galbraith described it in his book The Affluent Society. I feel that Harrington's view is more accurate and should be required reading for all.
NANCEE SEITZ Michigan State University East Lansing, Mich.
Sir: Michael Harrington hit the nail on the head. There are a lot of Americans who aren't really living, they are just existing. I wonder if the tax cut will favor poor people more than millionaires.
This past year we spent approximately $1,000 for doctor and hospital bills, which we paid with borrowed money. Now, as I understand it, they are trying to pass a bill that would have us pay taxes to help pay medical bills for my neighbor, who is over 65 and worth over $50,000. Thank God I could still borrow money to pay my medical bills.
CLEMENT MARTIN New Holland, Pa.
Sir: I am damn tired of hearing and reading about the tribulations of the poor and unemployed in our country. If an individual doesn't have either the intelligence, or drive or fortitude to get off his posterior, then he deserves what he gets. If technology has made the job obsolete, then find another one; unless my eyes deceive me, newspaper want-ad sections are still asking for short-order cooks as well as physicists.
JEROME A. YOUNG Houston
Sir: Most of the families I come in contact with are in the $3,500 bracket. Maybe we don't have the luxuries of the Bakers and the Washington set, but our children go to college, are well dressed, well fed and have excellent medical care.
MARGARET HENRIKSON Dunseith, N. Dak.
Matter of Libel