Bush’s ‘Thousand Points of Light’

Bush’s proposal of an essentially affluent youth volunteer program, Youth Engaged in Service, presented on Oct. 4 to a meeting of Sacramento’s business leaders, is a prime example of his weakness in dealing with America’s social problems. For teen-agers who are not fully occupied by school, working to help support themselves or their families, or baby-sitting younger siblings, there are many existing opportunities to contribute valuable volunteer service.

It is up to parents, teachers, community groups, and religious organizations to raise these young people with values that encourage the spirit of volunteerism. Simply providing another outlet for volunteering will not create conscientious citizens. The funding for the program would be better spent informing young people about local volunteer options, which already exist, and restoring the funding that the Reagan Administration cut from successful federal volunteer programs such as the Peace Corps and Vista.

JULIE HORENSTEIN

Sacramento