LETTERS: ADOPTION ISN'T AN EASY SOLUTION

To the editor:

I saw in Speak Out the comment "Pro-lifers can take the babies." I feel compelled to reply.

Abortion has absolutely nothing to do with unwanted babies not having provisions. This position by the pro-death advocates flies in the face of reality and truth. Minimal effort will produce sound and sufficient evidence of individuals and families who would willingly and gladly accept children into living and caring homes. I have personally know of, and now know of, couple who through no fault of their own are childless. Despite their best efforts, successful adoption has eluded them.

Going to any of our illustrious state-operated Department of Family Services offices is a cruel joke. For many reasons -- primarily and foremost, taxpayer money which serves to sustain and enlarge the bureaucracy -- the hopeful adopters will be subjected to such treatment that they will think themselves criminals for even daring to think they could have one of these wards of the state. Also, I just recently met a couple who aren't being considered favorably to adopt by DFS simply because they are gospel ministers. This in spite of the fact they have already adopted two of the biological siblings. And this is a racial mixture. So much for eradicating racial prejudice.

The lawyers and legal system in general have made the procedures so litigious that adoption is expensive. My own daughter and husband were able to adopt two children (not at one time) for $24,000. They consider themselves fortunate.

It is impossible to address the many factors and conditions regarding adoption at this point, but suffice it to say they are multitudinous, to say the least.

CHARLES J. LANCE

Scott City