To the editor:

The quotations of the German-born Presbyterian clergyman William Boetcker that were included in the Monday, Oct. 20, opinion page were quite interesting. Being the child of a low-income, small farm family (supporting three generations) in the Depression of the early ‘30s, and being a lifelong Presbyterian who has been taught to help struggling families, I questioned why his “Ten Cannots” seemed rather harsh, except for, “You cannot build character and courage by taking away men’s initiative and independence.” This was spoken in 1916, before outsourcing, but I believe Rev. Boetcker would not have approved of “outsourcing” jobs as Mr. Romney and many wealthy investors have done.

Rev. Boetcker’s statement, “You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred,” is also fitting at this time. Those who are low income and now do not pay taxes have been lumped into the 47 percent who Mr. Romney classifies as people he won’t worry about. I would guess that several veterans who have suffered war trauma or severe injuries (in an unnecessary war) and cannot find suitable work are in that 47 percent as well as some who have had their jobs outsourced.