Sen. Jesse Helms

Thanks to Huntington Williams (Opinion, Nov. 11), we now understand Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.).

First, Helms wants to limit the power of government except for pork-barrel items for his state and government policies which encourage school resegregation. Second, Helms believes in the sanctity of private property except for women. Third, Helms believes in individual responsibility and so wants to abrogate social safety net programs, thus allowing those now covered to fall by the wayside. Fourth, Helms believes in charities except for endowments to the arts and to charities servicing those with a lesser right-wing tilt, using his perspective. Williams says that Helms represents a large and growing constituency that extends beyond North Carolina. No wonder the country is in trouble.

BOB BUTLER, Culver City