Four More Years
To the Editors,
Ronald Reagan's greatest service to the world has been his success at harnessing the American spirit [NATION, Nov. 19]. He has reawakened an awareness of human potential in a land that was infected by Watergate, Viet Nam and the Iranian hostage situation. America is back, and all the world now recognizes it.
Martyn Brown Shawnigan Lake, B.C.
Voters tend to elect Democratic Congressmen to get them goodies and Republican Presidents to protect them from other people's Democratic Congressmen.
Taras Wolansky Kerhonkson, N. Y.
The Democratic Party leaders as well as the national media have insulted the voting public. Their rationale for the Reagan landslide is the President's ability to charm voters and Walter Mondale's inability to get his message across. At what point will these two groups admit that the majority of Americans support the President on the issues? The Mondale-Ferraro message was clearly heard, understood and overwhelmingly rejected.
Craig DuMez Brookfield, Wis.
As an American riving in Brazil, I felt great pride as I listened to Mondale's concession speech. It was one of the most beautiful examples of our democracy in action. Brazilians were emotionally moved to hear the defeated candidate rally his adherents to support the newly re-elected President.
Donald E. Gall Manaus, Brazil
Mondale's message to young voters was "come and join us." Join whom? The only groups he ever mentioned were the hungry, the unemployed, the homeless, the discouraged, the depressed and the poor. Granted there are millions in those categories, but to the youth who are educated and employed, joining them would be a step down. The shining city on the hill read Republican.
John J. Kardas Latham, N. Y.
Unless the President's incredible luck holds for another four years, his flawed foreign policy and destructive domestic course can only lead us to disaster.
Andrew W. Mungerson Oak Park, III.
I weep for my country.
Philip Berroll Los Angeles
Hugh Sidey's column "When the Elite Loses Touch," which attacked East Coast intellectuals' support of the Democrats, neglects the fact that close to 37 million "plain people" in the electorate saw through the Reagan smokescreen of flag waving and good feeling. They realized that the President possesses no substance and voted for Mondale and Ferraro.
Thomas F. Budlong Jr. Decatur, Ga.
What is elitist about believing in the ERA, religious freedom, compassion for the poor, clean air, pro-choice on abortion and comparable pay for comparable work? Citizens who are concerned with these issues are responsible Americans.
Michele U. Farley West Hartford, Conn.
I do not know any East Coast intellectuals, but I know plenty of ordinary people who voted for Mondale. We range from musicians to accountants to retired schoolteachers.
Mary K. Trumble Austin
Hooray for Sidey's reflection on the Reagan mandate. Now that history's best-educated and best-informed voting public has exercised its independence, whom will these liberals speak to? Themselves?
Sally van Winkle Rohne Astoria, Ore.