Franklin didn't have this America in mind

Re "Luxury needs no remedy," Opinion, July 26

In invoking Benjamin Franklin in his wrongheaded argument against government interference with individuals wrapping themselves in the trappings of luxury, Chapman University professor of law Donald J. Kochan totally ignores the reality that the world of 200 years ago was vastly different from today's world.

Today, the economic benefits to society ("Masons, Carpenters, Smiths, and other honest Tradesmen") from providing for the expensive tastes of those who can afford it are more than offset by the cost. It's not just the elite who pay the price of their gluttony — we all do, in the form of resource depletion, accelerating damage to the environment and the piling up of waste.

It is the mission of the government to protect society from the selfish indulgence of the few, something Franklin didn't have to concern himself with in his day.

John Crowther

Los Angeles

I believe Kochan is mixing apples with oranges when comparing Franklin's letter concerning "luxury" with President Obama's political beliefs and intentions. After all, the president is well aware of — and is enjoying — the pleasures of luxury himself, as he should be.

I believe our president is referring to the country's lopsided compensation packages in the industrial and financial sectors, including perks, extremely large bonuses, golden parachutes, nefarious Wall Street swindling, tax breaks, etc.

It has been statistically shown that the rich are getting richer and the middle class is shrinking. Would Kochan prefer an aristocracy instead of a democracy? Even Franklin didn't want that.

Ronald L. Elko

La Mesa

Kochan makes the correct, and meretricious, argument that liberals are wrong to attempt restricting personal wealth because such wealth benefits society as a whole. Few would argue this obvious point.

The problem for society occurs when large accumulations of wealth also acquire political power.

A successful businessman may build a palace, thus employing tradesmen, craftsmen and artists. However, when he employs lobbyists or buys campaign ads for his favorite candidate, he is buying political power.

Does Kochan argue that a plutocracy was what Franklin envisaged for our country? A Bentley is no problem; a bought legislator is.

Howard Cowan

Woodland Hills

At a time when executive salaries are 300 times greater than worker's pay, and studies have shown that executive salaries have risen 300% while worker's pay has gained only 4.3% since 1990, we have reached the point as a country at which "part of its people live upon potatoes and wear no shirts" — the threshold Franklin recognized at which "certain modes of luxury" become a "public evil."

We can all decide for ourselves whether the analogy holds up, but that's the reality.

Bob Olive

Valley Glen

If I wanted to be exposed to a series of false dilemmas, straw men and incomplete hypotheticals calculated to create fear about Obama's nonexistent war on wealth and luxury, I could have turned to Fox News. I expect something more thoughtful from The Times.

If Kochan actually wanted to substantively discuss the ever-growing gap between rich and poor, and the historical repercussions thereof, he could have eschewed his rambling selection of trifling Franklin quotations and analyzed, instead, what was happening in France at the time.

Jan Rainbird

Irvine

Match the food with the needy

Re "Restaurant leftovers for the needy: Here's a plan," Business, July 27

What a great column from David Lazarus, outlining a plan to get leftover food from restaurants to people who need it.

I also have been frustrated at seeing food thrown out when there are so many people here who are hungry. An online exchange sounds like a great plan.

I hope that someone who is computer savvy can get the ball rolling. After that, I know that there are people, myself included, who would want to pitch in and help get the program off the ground and running.

Pam Ovlen

Thousand Oaks

I worked in a restaurant in San Pedro in the 1990s. I asked the manager if we could donate the leftovers from our Sunday brunch to the homeless. He thought it was a good idea, made a phone call, and it was done.

The homeless coordinators came at the same time each Sunday and picked up the food (of which quantities were ample). They were polite and efficient. The whole thing was seamless.

Thank you for addressing this issue in your article. Wouldn't it be great if this idea would take off and grow? It makes so much sense.

Jill Borden

San Pedro

Getting leftover meals to the needy is a great idea, but it isn't as easy to do as Lazarus claims.

Legal liability aside, logistics is the real challenge. Unlike papers and plastics, meals only allow a small window of time to recycle. Breakfast and lunch may be easier to handle, but dinner can last until 10 p.m. or later.

If restaurants are willing to do the right thing, putting their excess food on a " Craigslist for cuisine," how ready are nonprofit organizations to monitor the list, to send drivers to pick up leftovers and to have staff handling the food, late at night?

What's more, availability of leftovers is unpredictable. All the stand-by readiness could result in naught.

However, if each restaurant has a list of its own charity organizations it would serve, matched according to locality, then Lazarus' great idea would be at least viable.

Teresa C. Yu

Rancho Palos Verdes

It's not fair to blame Germany

Re "Germany's responsibility," Opinion, July 26

Heather Robinson's suggestion to lay the blame on Germany if sanctions against Iran do not work is outrageous.

Furthermore, to draw a connection between Hitler's murderous Holocaust and a possible failure of the sanctions against Iran is even more outrageous. And very hateful toward Germany.

No nation — including Germany — wants to support the construction of the bomb in Iran, but sanctions hurt the poor and powerless U.S.- friendly population, while the rich and the politicians enjoy every luxury.

The problem should be attacked differently. Support the opposition. It would not necessarily grant safety, but it might help a lot.

The oppressed people in Iran cannot rid themselves of the present government alone. They need our help.

Germany has no influence on the mullahs' politics, just as the U.S. has none.

Anita Lutt

Huntington Park