In her Jan. 27 letter, “Speech clever, but not honest,” Christina Jeffrey chides those in poverty and essentially argues it is their job not to be poor. The federal minimum wage produces an annual gross income of $14,790 (payroll taxes alone reduce this to $13,660); I know of no person who is poor who is lobbying to keep this from increasing.

While it may be difficult and even distasteful, Ms. Jeffrey should imagine trying to support a spouse and a couple of kids on this income. Food, utilities, clothing, school supplies, transportation, medicine and, yes, even taxes — the hardship created by this oppressive set of circumstances doesn’t exactly create the perfect environment for “an orderly home with two parents, books, good moral and work habits and other advantages.”

It is telling that she defines that which I consider an obligation for each of us to help our fellow man as a “burden.” If she really believes the unborn should be guaranteed “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” then she should support universal health care, Medicaid, food assistance, full and free education, affordable housing, a functioning public transportation system and all of the societal underpinnings of the guarantee.

I don’t know if Ms. Jeffrey is familiar with the Beatitudes, but she had better hope one gets added to cover those who hold her beliefs and opinions; I don’t see it in the list right now.

Frank Caggiano

Columbia