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Some quarter-million Americans die each year from smoking tobacco. Yet the death of fewer than a dozen people in the same time period from freely choosing to partake of raw milk prompts a pistol-packing raid. No wonder the Tea Party Express is on a roll.

Lawrence Pratt, SAN JOSE, CALIF.

I grew up on a small farm. Until the mid-'40s, we did not have electricity, so our raw milk was cooled by putting the cans in tubs of cold water in the summer. We drank, cooked and made some awesome ice cream with this milk, and we didn't become ill. If people want to use raw milk, I'd suggest they know the farmer and the farm and make sure the milk has not traveled far. And by the way, the cats drank it too, and they lived long lives. Some common sense goes a long way.

Elaine Beard, OMAHA, NEB.

Hit the Road, Joe

I would like to thank Joe Klein for his journey across America ["Road Trip," Sept. 20]. I am an accountant, a single mom trying to raise my son in these difficult economic times. My clients include people dealing with unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy, and I see up close the anger and fear that is dividing our country. We need to get our politicians to understand that the consequences of what they do are tangible and real to us. The cost of war, health care reform, Wall Street reform and Main Street failures comes out of our pockets today and our children's tomorrow.

Sharon Gregg, ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Geothermal Heating

I wish it were true that "front-end costs for geothermal systems are ... about $7,500 for a typical residence," but I don't think it is. My wife and I are planning to build a new house and would love to include a geothermal system. We've received estimates from contractors in the $60,000 range. I believe your story should have read, "$7,500 for each ton of HVAC required in a typical residence." If you find a contractor who can install a residential system for $7,500, please let me know!

Steve Mellott, MCDONOUGH, GA.

Market Mania

Zachary Karabell has hit the nail square on ["Volume Control," Sept. 20]. He says exactly what I have concluded after watching the stock market jiggle every time someone lifts an eyebrow. I am 83, and there are things I need (house painted and reshingled) and things I want (a new camera, one of those BlackBerry things, bushels of spring bulbs to plant), and if the stock market would settle down, I'd be ready to go. It would help the economy to have me loosen my purse strings, and it would help me enjoy my remaining years more fully. I'm convinced that those investors are manufacturing crises in order to buy and sell to line their own pockets. Believe in the American people, for goodness' sake. They have the energy and smarts to keep the country moving.

Evelyn Stevens, LANSING, N.Y.

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