Re: "Marvel money takes Lacey Meadows" (by David Johnson, Aug. 23).

Always rather interesting to observe the reaction when the other side of the sacred face of free-enterprise is revealed, and how quickly those who staunchly defend their self-styled independent free-market principles race to the public politicians for assistance when the very system they so firmly endorse fails to deliver the benefits they believe themselves due.

People have been coming in and writing checks to put people both in and out of business in these United States of America since the day the nation was created, and, that IS what this country has been, is and continues to be all about. We have wanted and have fought and squabbled both among ourselves and with others to keep it that way. One person's interpreted "shame" for the community is defined as another's "pride".

Idaho, no different from any other state and the entire U.S.A., is a community in a constant state of transition. The nation's population continues to grow and will soon exceed 300 million, compared to approximately one-half that number slightly over 50 years ago. People are moving and congesting. The once agrarian character of the country is being replaced by urban, and rural agrarian values are being replaced by urban values. Agriculture and ranching comprises an increasingly less significant proportion of the national economy. Good ole free-market principles are assuring fewer and fewer people are needed to feed and clothe more people at less and less cost. So appeal as you may choose; one may as well rant at the wind for blowing; but the stage has been set...

S.N. LUTTICH
Orofino