Letters, Jul. 25, 1977

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If the Government provided its citizens with alternative birth control methods (free of charge), there would be fewer abortions. Even the right-to-lifers would like that.

Beverly A. Aimaro Haver hill, Mass.

Reality and South Africa

Managing Editor Henry Grunwald certainly was correct in describing the pervasive fear among white South Africans [June 27] as well as "their . . . remoteness from the world and from reality." But TIME magazine, like many others, is reluctant to suggest just what should be done.

Might I suggest the following: 1) pay more attention to the unofficial but legitimate black leadership there that is drowned out by government propaganda; 2) urge U.S. multinational corporations to raise the wages of their black workers, hire and fire on merit, and institute training programs for middle-level and management positions; 3) cut the hypocrisy and try to merge our diplomatic and economic policies in South Africa. We can no longer "abhor" apartheid and wink at our companies' double-digit returns on investments there, which are the result of the ridiculously low wages paid the African worker.

Arthur Ashe Miami

Jimmy and Taxes

Re "The Tax Volunteer" [July 4]: Mr. Carter has every right to give the Government $6,000 if he so chooses, but he does not have the right to call the gift a tax payment if he owes no taxes.

D.E. Fielder Webster New York City

New Family Doctors

The article on new family doctors [July 4] was certainly misleading to the general public. There is no question that America needs more family doctors, especially in rural areas.

Unfortunately, many young family doctors who have had no more than six months of training in each specialty claim to be superspecialists in all fields. Their fees are seldom lower but usually higher than those of nonsurgical specialists.

Lawrence M. Ng, M.D. San Leandro, Calif.

I am thoroughly disgusted by our age of specialization and tired of being asked by a local medical clinic (full of specialists) to diagnose myself.

Hurrah for the family practitioners—God bless 'em and may they prosper!

Elizabeth Handy

Beloit, Wis.

There is a pressing need in this country for the kind of well-trained general practitioners that you describe. Those of us in the business of training people to be doctors have found them to be among the most idealistic and enthusiastic of trainees.

It therefore disturbs me to see their specialty and goals described in terms of economics or specialty competition. It is certainly not my impression that the family practitioners are purveyors of "discount medicine" and that they would attempt procedures and substitute therapy for which they are not trained.

We welcome their attitudes and applaud the kind of standards they have set for the profession.

Bob Lanier, M.D. San Antonio

Jesus as the Messiah

Yes, there is literally a war going on between Jews and missionary groups [July 4]. Although it has only recently hit the headlines, this phenomenon is nothing new; the Jewish people have been the focus of persistent attempts at conversion ever since the advent of Christianity.