Columnist Refuted

Re “Hispanic Values at the Polls,” Jan. 30.

Carlos E. Garcia wrote, “Hispanics believe that access to quality health care is a human right rather than a personal luxury. Ironically, many come from Third World countries where such rights are taken for granted. The U.S., the richest and most self-righteous country in the world, has much to learn from its neighbors to the south.”

The self-righteous one is Garcia. Do immigrants run across the border to our hospitals just because the hospital food is better? Does he think the Flying Doctors go to Baja to fish?

Garcia wrote, “I cannot pretend to speak for the Latino communities.” He doesn’t pretend--he does it! He also uses Latinos to support his consumer research company. Just as any politician who exploits ethnic differences, he gets more than he gives. Dear editor, think first, publish later.

DOUGLAS C. KUBLER

Thousand Oaks