Letter: Greed becomes primary goal for too many

Friday, April 1, 2005 | 9:17 a.m.

I yearn for the times gone by when neighbor cared about his neighbor, but somehow that era seems to have vanished from our government's dialogue. Now it is dog eat dog and the greedier you are the more you are admired.

Your paper recently published a most poignant column by Bob Herbert, with the headline, "Shared sacrifice an anathema to the GOP." In the column, he attacks President Bush's concept of an "Ownership Society," which concentrates on improving the environment for the wealthy while leaving the poor and the middle-class behind. In support, he cites the president's budget proposal to Congress, which cuts $26 billion dollars in entitlement programs while adding additional tax breaks for the wealthy and the corporations.

The era I recall so fondly was the 1930s, '40s and '50s. That period was dominated by the Great Depression, World War II and the postwar reconstruction and education of the veterans. Our goal was simple: Make life better for the world and our children. We tried, but along came greed, which is now personified by our government and the Bush administration. Greed has become the motive and wealth the goal of too many of our citizens.

Herbert ends his column by quoting the president who led us into the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover. "You know the only trouble with capitalism is capitalists. They are too damn greedy." To that I say, amen.

RAY HARBERT