Letter to the editor: Population control

In the 18th century, after the French Revolution, there was a shortage of food, which led to unrest. To solve the problem the government, through mass executions facilitated by new laws removing the rights of defense and appeal, drastically reduced the population needing to be fed. This attitude toward solving societal problems prevailed in the 19th century as well. “If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”

Are we seeing this barbaric approach to problem-solving revived in 21st-century United States? Prices have gone up since this administration has taken power and controls both chambers of Congress as well as the Supreme Court. As an example, rather than support our farmers to enable food production, this administration is creating food shortages and high prices by supporting Argentina at American farmers’ expense.

Population control measures throughout the ages have always included denying health care to the poor. Note that the current government shutdown is based on Republican refusal to fund health care. Moreover, on Sept. 19, RFK’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted not to recommend the MMRV shot and decided that government insurance will not pay for vaccinations, thereby exposing unvaccinated children to these four life-threatening diseases. In 2025, according to CDC data, the U.S. recorded the most measles cases in more than 30 years. Other population control policies instituted by this administration include the elimination of funding for school lunches and health care programs for expectant mothers.

As a student of history I see a pattern here.

Kathleen Acklin

Squirrel Hill