Weinberger’s Resignation

The editorial “A Loyal Soldier’s Mixed Legacy” (Nov. 6) describes former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger as “a zealot in promoting a $2-trillion buildup of American defenses.”

Several days ago, I read that in today’s prosperous America, 20 million Americans go hungry. A simple division of $2-trillion by 20 million gives a quotient of $100,000. Dividing $100,000 by seven (the seven years of Weinberger’s “public service”), gives a quotient of $14,285.71 per hungry person per year--more than enough to feed every hungry man, woman, and child.

I ask myself: What would have happened if, during those seven Reagan-Weinberger years, that $2-trillion had been spent on feeding the hungry, providing decent housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick, instead of preparations for war?

The answer comes back: Nothing would have happened, except that we would now have a more healthy, happy America.

Simple? Yes. Simplistic or simple-minded? No.

ISIDORE ZIFERSTEIN

Los Angeles