Columbia, SC — The article in the Feb. 10 Metro section, “More restrictions on food stamps?”, was so sad and so revealing. Catherine Templeton, director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, is talking about food stamps and is quoted as saying “I think there’s an appetite for this.” That is about as low as one could stoop coming from a person whom I’m fairly sure has never gone hungry a day in her life.

We have reached a pathetic new low when our government officials want to control anyone’s diet and appetite, even if it is the poorest of our poor.

Gov. Nikki Haley and her appointees are very intelligent, well educated and competent; they just have not learned that there is a difference between intelligence and wisdom, and that competence and saving a tax dollar is not the same as compassion.

Franklin D. Benjamin

Lexington