Brezhnev Speaks

To the Editors:

If Leonid Brezhnev [Jan. 22] can be believed, the Soviet leader is a master strategist. If he cannot be believed, he is a master politician. And liar.

Lockwood Richard Doty II Alexandria, Va.

In the Communist language, detente means surrender; peace means when the entire world is converted to Godless Communism. Every official in Washington should be aware of this difference in meaning, and not be deluded by Mr. Brezhnev's yearning for peace.

Harold E. Fuller Green Bay, Wis.

The sad thing about Soviet-American relations is that while the Soviets may have a real desire for peace, American politicians get much more press and public praise for "hanging tough" on the Soviet issues.

Tom Armbruster Severna Park, Md.

Our conflict with the Soviets is not over any strategic nuclear attack issue, but over the kind and quality of our respective economic and social systems. If we allow inflation to go unchecked, continue to channel our technological expertise into "smart" weapons and away from better cars, more public transportation and alternative energy sources, we are giving the Soviets just what they want--the spectacle of a degenerating America.

William T. Scott Reno The High Cost of Dreaming

Re "Inflation: Who Is Hurt Worst?" [Jan. 15]: boo, hiss to the American Dream! My husband and I now find that even though we have obtained that hallowed ground called "the upper middle class" we are hard put to have meat on the table three times a week. We put off visits to the doctor. A family vacation nowadays is a joke. Most depressing is watching Congress continue to set up programs that we finance but cannot use because we "make too much money." So please tell us: What is the American Dream?

Just how long do you think the ever giving middle class will continue to support this country?

Joy Ross Brookfield, Wis.

I really got a laugh out of your statement, "But farmers have been able to insulate themselves from stunning increases in food costs ... by producing much of what they eat." We farm and raise corn and soybeans. We have a small garden, but we do not raise beef, pork, eggs, chickens, wheat or coffee. If we ate only what we produced on our farm, we would be in a bad fix.

(Mrs.) Mary Sutter Cooksville, Ill.

It was sometime in the 1970s when my parents completely stopped reminding me how difficult things were during the Depression of the '30s. It looks like those days are here again.

Charlene Mesick West Palm Beach, Fla.

An Insecure Future

In your article "Trying to Slow Social Security" [Jan. 22], you suggest phasing out benefits paid to spouses who "do not work" because such payments are expensive and "discriminate against working women." I'd like to know what a wife who works for years at hard labor--cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, being nurse, adviser, chauffeur and mainstay of a home--does if she does not work. I would say that this kind of working woman deserves all she gets from her husband's share of Social Security.

Mrs. Ralph W. Dexter Narrowsberg, N. Y.

It is absurd and cruel to refer to former federal employees as "outrageous double-dipping" Government workers. My contributions to Social Security began on Jan. 1, 1937, and later to the Federal Retirement Program at a 7% clip of entire salary. I am now qualified both legally and morally to receive benefits from both plans.

Eugene E. Moore Florissant, Mo.

The Gripes of Academe

The article "Private Colleges Cry 'Help!' " [Jan. 15] further supports the fact that the Government is the drug dealer and the private sector is hooked. The plight of private education is the result of having taken the pill of happiness too often from Big Brother. Snob appeal and a dash of sound education will save a few private institutions.

Robert E. Ivancevich Evanston, Ill.

If the attitude that public colleges exist merely to supplement private schools is widespread, it is no wonder private colleges are crying "Help!" In fact, just the opposite is true. In the unlikely event that public universities disappeared, private universities could not educate the next generation of students. In the equally unlikely event of the disappearance of private schools, public institutions could handle the job, but without the variety and richness the dual system now affords.

W.B. Walters College Park, Md.

Pace University appreciated mention in TIME's article "Private Colleges Cry 'Help!' " but we would like to clarify the misunderstanding that seems to surround our alleged "gobbling up" of Briarcliff College.

By March 1, 1977, Briarcliff was no longer able to meet its financial obligations. The college was $5.5 million in debt, and its class of '77 was in danger of not graduating. Pace assumed Briarcliff s obligations and assured the graduation of the class, thereby relieving all parties concerned of impending calamity.

J.D. Graziano, Special Assistant to the President for Public Relations Pace University, New York City

Oh, Brother!

If Billy Carter [Jan. 22] wishes to use his position as brother of the President for personal gain and publicity, thus becoming, to an extent, a representative of our people, he should also assume a proper stewardship for that station.

Rebecca Jannusch Green Bay, Wis.

No American should ever have to subject his personal life and private affairs to the dictation of any individual or group, or even risk such tyranny in a democracy. Billy Carter too is entitled to constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of speech and association.

Tseng-Kang Lin Hartford, Conn.

Innkeeper to the World

As the daughter of Conrad Nicholson Hilton, I wish to thank you for your thoughtful article on the life of my father [Jan. 15]. It was a fitting remembrance of a very special man.

Constance Francesco Hilton Beverly Hills

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