LETTERS: PORK FOR LUNCH?

To the editor:

It's Saturday morning, and an average family -- mother, father and two children -- sit down at the table for breakfast. Mother has decided to prepare a nice meal for her family. The workweek is busy, so this gathering is a treat for the family. Rarely does the family get to enjoy a cheese omelet, bacon, milk, juice and toast with jelly. Halfway through the meal, the doorbell rings. The father answers the door and if frightened to see agents from the FFP (Federal Food Police). The family members know they have committed a crime: exceeding their weekly allowance of fat and calories.

This year our nation's schools will be forced to implement nutritional analysis for their breakfast and lunch programs. They must purchase a computer program or hire consultants to plan menus that don't exceed government-set limits on calories, fat, sodium and so forth.

I've talked with schools, and they tell me several things. Current menus are way over the limits. You thought lunches were bad. Just wait. Children won't eat the meals that don't exceed the limits. Schools will have to spend a lot more money to purchase reduced-fat, reduced-calorie and reduced-sodium foods. Hungry children won't be able to purchase extra milk or food. One size meal will fit all children, large or small. Pressure is being brought to eliminate soda machines, snack machines, fund-raising through sales of candy bars and anything that allows students to choose the food they want to eat.

The implementation of this program originally was planned for 1998. So why is it being forced on our schools this year? The answer is obvious: last November's elections. I talked with a food service employee who stated without any prompting this is being rushed through because the decision-makers were scared the program would be eliminated by conservatives in Congress. The liberal government is grasping onto all its pet programs and spending every budgeted dollar they can, needed or not.

Let me take you back to April 7 when Richard Gephardt made an address on national television. His response to the Republicans who were trying to slow the growth of government by wanting to increase the school lunch program 4.6 percent and give block grants to the states was unbelievable even for Mr. Gephardt. From Long Branch Elementary School in Washington, he said, "Next year there are children here who won't have school lunches. The Republicans cut them to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans." Those who objectively studied the issue know it was an intentional deception.

So what have these events taught us? Republicans want to eliminate federal bureaucracy and slow the growth of government. All the while our liberal government will come up with more worthless ways to spend money and demand more. As the debate over the budget deficit heats up, the Democrats will continue to try to scare your pants off. They know very few people are involved enough to follow the details of the debate and ignore the lies. In this very small case of the national school lunch program, ask yourself who is really taking food out of the mouths of children.

RODNEY VIESSMAN

Jefferson City