In response to Jeremy Hicks’ column “Stimulus lures with promise of instant gratification”:
I found this column offensive, as well as replete with fallacious arguments and devoid of any logical arguments. As an appeal to emotions, however, it is outstanding. To refer to people, usually women and children, who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances and needing temporary assistance as “parasites” and “maggots” is arrogant, cruel and lacking in compassion.
Hicks’ opinion expresses a simplistic black and white view of our society, and creates a “them or us” mentality at a time when consensus building would best serve us.
He claims the majority of us lack the intellectual tools to understand the current recession, and are “a prejudiced, self-centered lot.” And because I’m a Democrat, I’m “weak-and-wishful-minded.” If this is his conclusion about our society, I think he needs to find a better class of people to hang out with.
The only thing that keeps Hicks’ column from being laughable is its mean-spiritedness and failure to display any critical thinking skills whatsoever.
Linda Stark
Matching gifts specialist, Cal Poly advancement services