Peace Corps Post Should Not Be Political
Payback
Re "Not the One for the Peace Corps," Aug. 20:

I have had on-and-off relations with the Peace
Corps since its inception in 1961. Four of my sons
served in it.

The Peace Corps, nearly everyone agrees, has
been one of the best federal agencies, if not the
best. After 40 years, there are now over 150,000
returned volunteers. They are found in Congress,
the Cabinet, federal and state agencies. Some have
become governors. Returned volunteers are in
important business and church organizations.
Unfortunately, every president since Kennedy has
made the directorship a political reward. Some of
these turned out well. President Reagan's was
excellent: the late Loret Miller Ruppe. But Gaddi
Vasquez's nomination leaves much to be desired.

As we now have such a large and excellent pool of returned volunteers, the
director should be one of them. There are many good ones who are
Republicans.

What has Vasquez ever done for the Peace Corps or even volunteer agencies
with overseas service?

Charles W. Arnade

Distinguished Professor

International Studies University of South Florida

Tampa

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http://www.latimes.com/editions/orange/la-000071198sep02.story