The American Spectator

Reader Mail

American Noises

4.14.08 @ 12:01AM

(Page 3 of 3)

The Communist government of China has invested trillions in the American economy for a myriad of reasons but primarily because a dollar invested in America is a productive dollar. The return on investment for those who bet on the American business ethic (ingenuity, integrity, perseverance and optimism) is a handsome one. Yes, the stock market is sometimes mauled bearish paws, but overall the bulls have better stamina: Wall Street is one of the most reliable bets one can make.

Returning to Obama's appalling lack of understanding of international economics and human behavior -- China will not punish America by withdrawing its capital; this cowardly fear is irrationality in action and demonstrates a lack of thoughtfulness and character. A captain does not worry that the ship owner will scuttle the craft to drown an imperfect crew; he understands that sinking the craft is contrary to the owner's interests. Further, many rats jump ship in rough waters, but rational men man their stations and ride out the storms. Premier Wen Jiabao has demonstrated a strong and steady leadership in regards to China's economic affairs; he is not about to thrash wildly about if some Western Countries boycott the '08 Olympics.

Premier Wen has his eyes on the long term interests of his country -- because it serves his self-interests. Contrast this to people like Senator Obama and many Democrats who are salivating over the prospect of a recessions in the U.S. and increased instability in Iraq because the chances of Senator McCain winning are inversely proportional to successes in these areas. The Democrats' schadenfreude comes not just at the expense the senior Senator from Arizona and the Republican party but calls for the suffering of the average American. The Left would do well to remember the words of the Abraham Lincoln, before he won the nomination and eventually the presidency, as he addressed the Republic State Convention in 1858, "A house divided cannot stand." Our leftists have demonstrated, time and time again, that they are most willing to punish themselves to bring down everyone else.

Madam Clinton is not about to drop out of the presidential race and hand over the nomination to her rival, no matter what the costs are to her party. As she so pithily said, "I am in it to win it." As despicable and unsavory as Hill is, she is at least an overt agent of rational self-interests; no sane person questions her motivation: Hillary is looking out for Hillary, no questions asked. (Just ask Geraldine Ferraro or Mark Penn). With the junior Senator hailing from the great state of Illinois, the public is left with this question, is Obama really running because he is altruistic or is he less than the rational and sartorially splendid dandy he appears to be? As Mr. Harshaw reported, ""Of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. People do what they want to do, every time."

Hopefully the American public will be so wise when they have to choose a president in these trying times.
-- Ira M. Kessel
Rochester, New York

I noticed the excerpt of Obama's comments on boycotting the Olympic Opening Ceremonies wasn't in quotations? Was this paraphrased or am I safe referring to this as a direct quote? This smacks of Carter-esque foreign policy that bodes poorly for us.
-- P. Scott Harmon
California

BEHIND THE WHEEL
Re: Eric Peters's Guzzler-Powered Green Cars:

In reading Mr. Peters' article, I keep thinking about Ms. Fabrizio's recent comments on how our politicians are failing us, and Mr. Ken Shreve's response. For the most part, we Americans have played by the rules and followed the policies of our elected leaders. Long forgotten post WW II politicians built massive highway systems in order to encourage Americans to traverse the breath of our great country. Entire communities and new lifestyles grew with the convenience of safer and faster automobiles. As a result, an hour's commute to work, in order to live in a rural community, was doable. Furthermore, energy production was keeping up with America's growth.

But those were more sensible times, and neither the politicians nor the public were caught up in today's overheated divisiveness. Today's generation of leftist politicians now wish to change the rules and punish Americans for doing what we were encouraged to do. And as Mr. Shreve suggested, far too many Americans are failing in their civic responsibilities, by becoming lazy, compliant sheep, swallowing false science and leftist dogmas that seek to dramatically alter our lifestyles and our very economic existence. Mr. Shreve also pointed out that we Americans elect politicians based upon what goodies they bring home, and in return, we bobble head to their designs for their new & improved Marxist utopia.

So while Mr. Peters tells us that we Americans are still in control, demanding the more profitable SUV's that allow for the production of the unprofitable, yet trendy, Prius and other "green technologies"; at the same time, we're buying into a radical environmentism that seeks for the first time in American history, to lower the standard of living for future generations. We're making a Faustian bargain that not even the Prius will get us out of.
-- A. DiPentima

HOOSIER HOSPITALITY
Re: Mike Dooley's letter (under "Boosiers") in Reader Mail's Staying Put and Ryan L. Cole's Tough Crowd:

We've had ups and downs in dealing with our state legislators for years, now, and nothing's happened previous to Gov. Daniels' administration. I applaud what he's done, and want him to continue, but I fear for the future of our state, because of the lack of common sense, and intelligence in some, almost all, of our elected officials, and even those who elected them.

The Nanny State, federally, and in-state, continues to make inroads, because people are becoming lazy to the point of letting someone else take care of their lives. It makes me sick to see grown adults act like children, and throw tantrums and fits, just because they don't get their way. Then when they realize what's happened, and they wake up, it's too late, and they're still too lazy to try to change their ways.

I know it looks like I'm rambling on, but these no-brain, no-guts liberals drive me crazy! (Or am I the crazy one for thinking about personal responsibility?)
-- Dave Wooldridge
Indianapolis, Indiana

MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Re: Roger Clegg's letter in Reader Mail's An Activist Named Grover:

As part of his defense of Linda Chavez, it would have been desirable for Mr. Clegg to disclose that he and Mrs. Chavez are both affiliated with the Center for Equal Opportunity. Given this, Mr. Clegg at least lacks the appearance of being an impartial arbiter in this matter.
-- Brad Lemler
Abilene, Texas

Letter to the Editor

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