Inbox

The Financial Free Fall

MARCH 9 “HOUSE OF CARDS”

The article on foreclosure was heartbreaking. How is it that some people pay more to pamper their dogs than others pay for their mortgage?

BONNIE HUGGINS, CENTENNIAL, COLO.

MARCH 9 “INSIDE THE BREAKDOWN AT THE SEC”

No corporate entity “too big to fail” is too small to regulate. We must do it, and in a way that puts the public interest first.

PHILIP BRIMBLE, LOS ANGELES

APRIL 6 “THAT WAS THEN … AND THIS IS NOW”

Let’s hope that those with an overabundance of “things” will recognize that because of a pervasive sense of entitlement, many have lost all they worked for. Maybe as a nation we will develop a conscience and realize the harm we’ve done.

MARY JO LISBORG, FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y.

NOV. 9 “WHAT’S STILL WRONG WITH WALL STREET”

Out in the real world, professionals who construct bridges, buildings, even houses must be licensed, to encourage adherence to stringent technical, legal and ethical standards. Ignoring the rules can result in losing one’s job. Why? Because if these things are constructed poorly, people will get hurt. Wall Street is in the business of “engineering” markets to make money. Why shouldn’t they be licensed and held to similar standards?

MARK REVIS, MORENO VALLEY, CALIF.

Race, Sex and Bias

JAN. 26 “GOD IS BLACK”

Michael Kinsley’s column is a prime example of why liberals get such bad press. It’s utter nonsense to posit that being black or privy to the African-American experience somehow endows Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones with voice-of-God vocal cords. Their riveting vocal abilities are not racially based.

GEORGE ROGERS, CHICO, CALIF.

FEB. 2 “A NEW DESTINY”

I enjoyed reading Joe Klein’s article about the new style, tone and attitude of cooperation that the Obama Administration brings. I only wish that Klein had adopted this new attitude. Instead, the snarky remarks aimed at George W. Bush and other conservatives make him come across as a sore winner–very unlike our new President.

BRIAN HENDRICKS, SPRINGFIELD, ILL.

JUNE 8 “THE LIMITS OF EMPATHY”

Christopher Caldwell’s Viewpoint on Judge Sonia Sotomayor and affirmative action reflected a lack of insight. I graduated recently as the only Latina in my medical-school class, and understand, in a way Caldwell will never be able to, that the stories of President Obama, Sotomayor and myself are possible only because of the propping up of affirmative-action laws by empathetic judges.

YADIRA CARAVEO, DENVER

NOV. 16 “HILLARY’S MOMENT”

It is difficult to take Joe Klein seriously when he sprinkles in observations about Hillary Clinton’s appearing “freckly without her makeup” and wearing an “electric-blue shift” rather than a jacket and pants. Why don’t we read more TIME stories about Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ facial appearance and choice of pants?

MIKE HAMILTON, EL PASO, TEXAS

Health …

AUG. 17 “WHY EXERCISE WON’T MAKE YOU THIN”

No credible fitness expert would argue that one can lose weight through exercise alone, but the tone of your article was unnecessarily discouraging. If people use exercise as an excuse to eat poorly, that’s a lack of discipline, not a “myth” about exercise.

NANCY MELUCCI, SACRAMENTO, CALIF.

DEC. 7 “THE MAMMOGRAM MELEE”

Re the new recommendations to delay routine mammograms until age 50: Here’s a riddle. If a woman is denied a mammogram at 40 and dies at 45 of breast cancer, how much money does her insurance company save?

CHRISTINE HUMMEL, ST. ANN, MO.

… and Health Care

MARCH 16 “THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS HITS HOME”

Re Karen Tumulty’s story about her “underinsured” brother: Ironically, if Patrick Tumulty had decided to retaliate against his insurance company’s executives with physical violence, he would now be in our penal system, with full medical benefits.

RICHARD CLARK III, ADELL, WIS.

JUNE 15 “THE 5 BIG HEALTH CARE DILEMMAS”

Missing from TIME’s list of players who will decide the fate of health care–lawmakers, lobbyists, even Walmart–is a key group: those who work long hours to cure what ails Americans, just so they can spend more time wrestling with insurance companies and dodging trial lawyers. Your list left out the doctors–which is exactly how I’ve felt for my 14 years of practice.

MICHAEL A. KELLAMS, CARMEL, IND.

Battle Zones

APRIL 13 “THE DARK SIDE OF RECRUITING”

I find it hard to put into words the depth of my outrage at the Army for its actions toward its recruiters, which drive dedicated soldiers to suicide. I have no doubt the Army will deny responsibility and take no meaningful corrective action. My pride as a veteran has suffered yet another wound.

DAVID J. DOYEN, LANDENBERG, PA.

OCT. 12 “A WINDOW ON THE WAR”

Adam Ferguson’s photography from Afghanistan brought it all back home. Medevacs, sentries monitoring the perimeter, soldiers shaving with whatever was available–Vietnam all over again. I hope our nation’s decision makers review his work.

BRYCE SANDERS, CLARKSVILLE, TENN.

NOV. 23 “TERRIFIED … OR TERRORIST?”

Perhaps the best way to convey the horror of the Fort Hood massacre would have been not to put the face of a killer on your cover but to share photos of his many victims.

MARY SCHARTAU, BROOKLYN, N.Y.

All in the Family

JULY 13 “WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS”

TIME grossly understates the complexity of the causes of infidelity and divorce in the U.S. Your writer misses the point that when the failings of one or both parents make for a miserable environment for their children, it is more sadistic to stay together than to divorce and try again.

GEORGE KALMAR, PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIF.

JULY 20 “THE MELANCHOLY OF MOTHERHOOD”

TIME showed an utter lack of understanding about the seriousness of postpartum depression. It affects millions and impairs functioning; it is not a “difficult period.” Fewer than half of cases are recognized, and fewer of those women ever get help.

KATHERINE STONE, FAYETTEVILLE, GA.

NOV. 30 “CAN THESE PARENTS BE SAVED?”

Nancy Gibbs’ article on overparenting was excellent, yet what’s needed is an evolution toward something better. One solution? Remember that children learn by example.

KEN WESTMORELAND, FUKUOKA, JAPAN

Leaders, Thinkers, Icons

MAY 11 “THE TIME 100”

After reading the TIME 100, I came to several conclusions. First, the world is apparently being shaped by virtual unknowns. Second, the real influential people seem to be the ones writing the essays. Third, aren’t the media that report on what most affects Americans among the most influential? Curiously, their names were missing.

THE REV. AL DETTER, ERIE, PA.

DISSENT

OF THE YEAR

Running a cover story on Glenn Beck is the equivalent of giving a terrorist publicity for setting off a bomb. Beck has made himself rich off people’s fears without making the slightest constructive comment on national issues. He’s a TV evangelist who makes altar calls and then drives away in his Cadillac.

Alan Moen, ENTIAT, WASH., on “The Agitator,” Sept. 28