The American Spectator

br> — Kent Lyon br> College Station, Texas /p> p> FILING LATE br> Re: Paul Dorell’s letter (under “Going It Alone”) in Reader Mail’s American Noises : /p>

Wow! Paul Dorell’s letter really knocked me for a loop. America ain’t that great? Sounds like Michelle Obama’s next stump speech, but I think his letter provides a window to the progressive mindset. Paul, if your analysis about taxation is correct, then perhaps your underlying assumption is wrong — that wealthy conservatives don’t like taxes because they believe that “greed is good”. Maybe — just maybe — there are philosophical reasons why conservatives chafe at feeding an ever growing, ever more intrusive state. In fact, I’d be happy to fork over more money, under 2 conditions: 1) none of it goes to the government, but instead to the charity of my choice; and 2) the federal budget is reduced by an equal amount.

p>As to your contention that America’s wealth is only an accident of history and/or geography, that is just classic collectivist thinking — that wealth is more or less a natural resource, and therefore the problem of government is how to distribute it all equally. Wealth is not a resource — it is a creation of the human intellect and the work of human hands, and the greatest duty of any government is to set those minds and hands free. br> — Pete Chase br> San Diego, California /p> p> KINDRED SPIRITS br> Re: Beverly Gunn’s letter (under “Hunting Season”) in Reader Mail’s American Noises : /p>

To Beverly Gunn, (East Texas Rancher), who just spoke to my heart about how she and her husband raised her children after D.C. She said it all, concerning these so-called Democratic presidential candidates and their intentions as I could never. They just don’t get it.

Anyway I just want to tell her that she and her family are what real Americans are all about. I also agree that I do not want Hillary or Bill on my TV every night and certainly not Obama, who appears to have no love for our Country. I too am not enthused about McCain but at least he appears to CARE about this our America.

Beverly has written before, as I recognize her fervor. I also pray for her son every night.

p>Thank you, br> — Marie Simmons br> Schoharie, New York /p>