Our Endangered Values











Mr. Jimmy Carter
Plains, GA 31780

Dear Mr., Carter,

It was with great interest and concern that my husband and I recently read your book, Our Endangered Values. We agree with your belief that religion and government should not mix. One should live by the moral values of one's religion, but that doesn't mean those values should be forced on others, especially through legislation. Like you, what is of most concern to us is the narrowness of the views of the radical right.

The part of Our Endangered Values that is particularly frightening to us is the US's current stance in foreign policy. We also feel the current administration has overstepped the bounds of decency, propriety and the law in many areas. And, as you pointed out, by stating that the US will no longer abide by previous covenants and agreements that have been signed, the current administration is endangering the lives of thousands of Americans living overseas. As expatriates living and working in Bangalore, India (along with 14,500 other expats) we are frequently asked by the natives or ex pats from other countries what we think of President Bush. To be perfectly frank, we're embarrassed and sometimes scared of what may happen to us because someone doesn't like the current American president or his short-sighted, fear-inducing policies.

You didn't come right out and state it as such, but your powerful writing lead us to believe that it's going to take individuals and groups of individuals, as blocks of voters, to change the way America interacts with foreign powers and the way it is currently doing business.

On another subject, we are from Atlanta and the stories about the subsidies for the tobacco and other commodity farmers in Georgia were shocking and appalling. How many Georgia voters would vote to eliminate those seven $1 million subsidies if they knew they existed? My guess is all but the seven recipients.

Thanks also to Our Endangered Values, we learned about some of the fabulous work that is being done through the Carter Center. My husband and I have both visited there, but had no idea of the extent of work being coordinated there to make poor people's lives better. We were both especially pleased that local people are trained to carry on once they have learned a set of skills and won't be dependent on continued aid.

We believe your influence, skill and dedication to creating a better world for all human beings is unparalleled. No other president in history has worked as tirelessly as you, after leaving office, as Thomas Friedman has written, to make the world flat. We applaud you for your continued work.

Sincerely,

Helen Borland