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Person of the Year

TIME astutely recognized that nobody put their mark on 2011 as did the millions of everyday people fighting for justice, wherever they live [Dec. 26]. Missing, though, is detail on the uprising of the American worker–and the hundreds of thousands of working- and middle-class protesters occupying Madison, Wis., where legislation threatened to strip workers of collective-bargaining rights and hard-earned health care and retirement benefits. They lit a spark that will continue in 2012 and beyond.

Gerald W. McEntee, President, AFSCME, WASHINGTON

Your choice for Person of the Year has the potential to awaken the world to the desperate need for the blessings of social justice, peace and democracy.

Margaret M. Olert, HANOVER, PA.

In failing to differentiate between middle-class kids who want their student loans forgiven and the selfless souls willing to risk their lives so that others might live free, TIME did a great disservice to the very movement it sought to venerate.

Larry Roberts, WINNIPEG, MAN.

The fact that Paul Ryan doesn’t want the job of President is exactly why we need him [“The Prophet,” Dec. 26]. He would do the job for the right reasons because he cares about this country.

Stuart Wagner, CENTENNIAL, COLO.

The Fighter

Re “Gabby on Gabby” [Dec. 26]: I was fascinated by Dan Winters’ raw and tender photo of Gabby Giffords, which really shows her resilience.

Isham Padron, ORLANDO

Laugh Track

Re “Crazy, Stupid, Cool” [Dec. 26]: I’ve read that laughing releases endorphins, which in turn helps you focus. Thank you, Joel Stein, for making me laugh out loud in my office–and helping me focus.

Sarah Smith, NASHVILLE

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