Reader Comments

Editor: Regarding your editorial “Politics Trumps Economics” pointing out the effects of the population slowdown and the entitlement crisis, this all ends rather apocalyptically, if we do nothing but play our fiddles or shout in our conservative echo chambers while Western civilization collapses around us. We already were headed for a catastrophic entitlement crisis before the prescription drug program, which seemed an act of economic suicide. It is almost as if the politicians in Washington, including the President, had flaunted economic laws for so long that they finally decided they could just repeal them and spend as much as they wanted and there would be no consequences. Now, unless we do some serious backpedaling, there will be hell to pay. Do you think it would spark a heated national debate to buy a full page ad in the Washington Post or the New York Times and spell this out in uncertain terms, maybe challenging anyone to refute it and perhaps offering a reward to anyone who could? The reality of our circumstance does not appear to be on the political radar screen. Bill Sizemore

Editor: I think that the main reasons why politics trumps economics are: 1) TIME. Political payoffs are timed to benefit politicians in the current election cycle (usually 2-4 years), while economic payoffs may not be realized for decades. A new (big government) program can begin 'paying off' within a year, while something like reforming Medicare or Social Security might not do so for 20 or more years. 2) MONEY. Political programs are usually funded using debt. You benefit now, pay later. Economic programs usually require up-front investments. You invest now, benefit later. Brian Lynch

Editor: While Edward Feser’s article talks about real conservatism, I don't know what is conservative about our "Trust Me" government. I don't understand what is conservative about domestic spying based on a "War" that last I knew hadn't been declared. I don't know what conservative means because it seems to be something that blows in the wind. U.L.

Editor: After reading your article “Know It All Feds,” I had to write to clarify one issue. The National Incident Management System was not created by the Feds. This system or some very close relative, has been in use within the fire service nationwide since the early 1980's and in some areas well before that. The Feds did re-name it (which is a take-it-or-leave-it proposition at best) and they did require all response agencies to adopt the system. This second point is both a critical issue and a good thing. Until now, other agencies, mostly law enforcement agencies, have refused to adopt an incident management system. This has caused no end of problems at the scene of emergencies ranging from dumpster fires to major disasters. What was unforeseen by anyone in local (which is, in my opinion the correct place to base such activity) response agencies was that the Federal Government would attempt to run what is, or should be, a local, state, or, at most, regional issue. The fact that Gulf Coast political leaders and emergency response officials were either unprepared to, unwilling to, or unable to manage Hurricane Katrina themselves did not help the situations. It is unfortunate that how this happened will probably never come to light and the lessons that need to be learned will be lost in the endless finger pointing. Tim Pridemore, Emergency Services Training Consultant

Editor: I agree wholeheartedly with Paul Weyrich’s article in the last edition on "Turning It Around.” The only thing that I would add is that I think we even need to reinstate the old one room schoolhouse for grades K-8th. My brothers, sisters and my wife attended separate one roomed schools and my consensus is that these one room school houses helped them each prepare for the next grade level of education simply by overhearing the educator teach the higher grade their lesson as the lower grade worked quietly at their desk on their own work. Can you imagine the outrage the teachers union would have of having to set up one room school houses in each neighborhood? But in reality I cannot think of anything better for our kids. It would also teach them a little about helping the smaller kids and respecting their elders more. (You need to respect the older kids as you might need that higher grade student's help with your homework later.) Now that's the education experience that everyone should have had to go through. Plus at the same time it increases the child's desire to learn. By the time you are in the 8th grade you should know everything about everything because as renowned motivational speaker and writer Zig Ziglar says "Repetition is the mother of learning!" Anyway I wanted you to know that I really enjoyed your article and that there are many of us out here that feel the same way. Mark M. Davis

Editor: After reading Paul Weyrich’s “Religious Freedom” article in this issue, I must ask, when did the IRS become a branch of the Soviet KGB? Since when can any governmental office or NGO presume to be above/outside of the law of our land -- the U.S. Constitution? It's time for Congress to censor the IRS. If the IRS bureaucracy is functioning as described by Mr. Weyrich, they need to be dismantled as an overt/treasonous threat to the public trust. Mrs. Carol Cassady, Seattle, WA

Editor: This Evangelical Christian Conservative in every sense of the word would like Mr. Weyrich to please keep this issue before the public and try to seek even larger venues to discuss IRS abuse even more. The politics of this church are not relevant, but the implications are. The bottom line is if they (the IRS) can do this to this church they can do this to ANY church. The fact that liberal administrations may have done this to Conservative churches in the past is likewise not relevant--this is an intrusion into church business that is not proper or Constitutional. Maybe you could see if The American Family Association (Donald Wildemon) can assist with a petition drive to the IRS and the White House and if the Alliance Defense Fund can represent the church as well. Thanks, Lee Tandus

Editor: In regard to Paul Weyrich’s article on persecuting Christian churches, there are a couple of conservative Evangelical churches in Columbus, OH under IRS scrutiny because of their support for conservative causes, anti abortion-right to life, protecting traditional marriage, voter registration moves, outspoken about judicial activism etc. "Turned" in by liberal churches!! It's just beginning! Bill Stemler, Cloverdale,IN

Editor: In regard to Mike Thompson’s article, socialized medicine already exists in America and it is a failure. Just ask any veteran that uses the VA only. We must wait weeks for an appointment with a general practitioner and then months for a specialist. Drugs are cheap if they are generic; front line drugs are usually unavailable. That's just like what the folks are now finding out about the Medicare part D. When the VA can treat its vets quickly I'll buy into national health care. Ken Lowder, U.S. Coast Guard, ret.

Editor: Thanks for the fine article concerning "The Chronicles of Narnia." Years ago I read the work, and am now most determined to see it! Bill Kohler

Editor: I visited your website for the first time today and found the Narnia article by Ted Baehr on the mark. I usually skip fantasy movies, as I am quickly bored by Harry Potter or the Lord of The Ring movies. I don't really care for Tolkien in books, and I have not read any of the Harry Potters. My wife and I bought the Narnia books for our son years ago, however, so I agreed to go to the movie because I had heard it had a positive religious theme and it was disliked by liberals. I thought it was wonderful. First, the combination of real and animated images was seamless, and that lent a lot to one's suspension of belief, a requirement for fantasy and sci-fi. Second, the kid actors made their characters believable and three-dimensional. With Lewis, you can do this, because his characters are three-dimensional in the books; with Tolkien, they're mostly two-dimensional caricatures--Bilbo Baggins, a bad hobbit (pun alert). But third, it's great to see evil vanquished after Aslan returns to life. Aslan for Senate. Slay the Nevada Warlock Harry Reid! Thanks to your reviewer for commenting on the details. Best regards, Rod Wood.