Letters: Jan. 3, 1983

• Share

(2 of 3)

Your analysis of the job specifications for the presidency stopped short of detailing what can be done to improve the caliber of candidates. I believe that a diminution of the open competition in American politics has been a major contributor to the selection of poorer candidates, and therefore less qualified elected officials. For the 1988 election, a list should be drawn up of 200 of the most promising leaders. Then an advisory review board, similar to the American Bar Association, would rate the individuals. Mediocre candidates would be discouraged. Excellent ones would be encouraged to get into races. This system would focus on who ought to be President rather than who has the best chance to win.

John C. Armor Washington, D.C.

I disagree with your assessment that John Kennedy was not a great President because "his accomplishments were meager." If that is the criterion, then Thomas Jefferson, whose only significant achievement was the Louisiana Purchase, would not qualify for greatness.

Robert J. Quirk, Mayor Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

We look to our President for peace, prosperity and freedom. We do not want our way of life jeopardized by risky foreign policies, economic experimentation and fiscal destabilization. Thus the job specifications for the Oval Office do not call for the election of the perfect administrator. The position can be filled only by someone who can pull us together to correct a bad situation.

Richard C. Hannibal York, Pa.

Kennedy Dropout

Four more years of Ronald Reagan, or possibly Fritz Mondale or John Glenn? We will need Ted Kennedy [Dec. 13] in 1988 to save this country.

Greg W. Prindle Toledo

Senator Kennedy has finally done something good for his country.

Lewis E. Wai berg Haverh II, Mass.

Gay Benefits

Gay families should receive the same rights as those allowed to traditional families [Dec. 13]. Since gays are among the taxpayers and consumers who pay for such benefits, they should have a share in them.

Flinn Hudson Cedar Falls, Iowa

Every one of us, straight or gay, came from a union of male and female. To pretend that the basis for marriage or the family structure is anything but that is intellectually dishonest. We should not allow ourselves to be intimidated into passing legislation to accommodate these self-styled martyrs and misfits.

Carol Bachelder Boise, Idaho

Patricide

Richard Jahnke severely beat his children Deborah and Richard for minor infractions [Dec. 13]. Thus it is not surprising that the children killed their father. Deborah and Richard were reacting in the only way they knew, with violence. This situation was criminal before the murder ever took place.

Rosalie Lemberger Paramus, N.J.

Richard and Deborah Jahnke should not be prosecuted; they should be hired as consultants on child abuse. We are misguided by the notion that children have to be all but killed before they should be removed from the home.

Michael Hagan Milwaukee

The Jahnke children committed a heinous crime and must suffer the consequences of their actions. If they do not, they may try to solve more of life's problems in the same manner.

Kris Quail Rochester, Mich.