President Clinton’s Child-Care Proposal

Re “Clinton Care: Feds Replace the Family,” Column Right, March 8: Katherine Dowling’s statements about the president’s child-care initiative were ludicrous.

A tax credit is better for working poor families than a tax deduction (which benefits higher-income earners). The Clinton child-care proposal is voluntary for working mothers. It sets higher minimum standards for child-care facilities.

The working poor don’t have the luxury of leaving work for years to raise a child, therefore allowing a mother “freer entry into the work force” years later is moot. A working poor mother must get back to work ASAP, not so two incomes can afford luxuries but simply to survive. Taxes don’t defeat the working poor family. Blame that on the high cost of housing, utilities, health and required insurance, food, medicine, clothing, etc. and the low wages employers pay the working poor.

Dowling is a right-wing elitist with no concept of economic realities facing the working poor.

HARLEY SPOON

Palm Springs

* Go, Dr. Dowling! As a full-time mom who has yet to cast a ballot for a Republican in 22 years of voting, I know we’re not all right-wingers stuck in the ‘50s. My sister and I both earned master’s degrees and enjoyed successful careers before we became mothers. Progressive, well-educated women, even those from the political left wing, know that jobs, titles and degrees can keep but we can never return to our sweet babies’ childhoods.

SUZANNA BORTZ

Laguna Niguel