IMMIGRATION

Newcomers’ justice

is Scriptural concern

I am an evangelical pastor of a local church. I was encouraged, for myself and the immigrants in my community, to hear that Rep. John Lewis was willing to take his commitment for immigration reform to the level of non-violent protest, resulting in his arrest.

Every day, I see individuals in need of immigration reform who are waiting on leaders in Washington to bring this issue to a vote. As their friend, I want to help them. As a leader in my community who is guided by the Bible, I see repeatedly in Scripture that God has a heart for the immigrant and cares about giving justice to them. I believe it is clear our immigration laws need to reflect God’s law; currently, they do not do that.

Families are hurting, our efforts for their education are stalled, our hope in our shared future is growing thinner, and our work in ministry grows longer when the government does not do what is right and just regarding how we should treat the immigrant in our midst.

DAVID PARK, PASTOR, OPEN TABLE COMMUNITY

NUTRITION

People should learn

how to get by on less

Regarding “Food stamps boost expires Oct. 31” (News, Oct. 10), if you can’t feed a family of four on a food budget of more than $600 a month, you need help with shopping and cooking.

I feed my family of three delicious, healthy and filling meals on less than $500 a month. I buy inexpensive (or sale) meats and veggies, and we rarely eat out. Many nights, we eat a satisfying, meat-free meal, like a simple pot of beans with crusty bread.

Food stamp recipients should educate themselves about how to cook like poor people all over the world have for generations. My mother could make a meal out of practically nothing. Some of my favorite meals as a child were beans or potatoes. I’ve raised my daughter the same way.

JOANNA METCALF, PEACHTREE CITY

GOVERNANCE

Don’t neglect analysis

in public health debate

Regarding Dr. Thomas Frieden’s commentary (“A broad mission to protect public health,” Opinion, Oct. 4), his formula for intervention is, “Find out what’s harming people, figure out how to stop these harms, put programs in place to prevent these harms — and monitor how the programs are working and how we can improve them.”

Based on on my experience as a former director for social sciences at the Food and Drug Administration, Frieden appears to approach public health problems precisely as a physician addresses private patients. That may lead to poor public policy outcomes and, sometimes, to public health advocacy as opposed to scientifically informed policy.

He neglects analysis that can identify whether people misunderstand the problem, what the risks and benefits of different options are, and the possible unintended consequences of policies. As to the latter, recall the unintended consequences of Prohibition.

RICHARD WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR OF POLICY RESEARCH, MERCATUS CENTER, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY