The American Spectator

If we don’t fix the fuel problem, there is no fixing a domestic industry that needs $30-50,000 dollar pickups, SUVs, mini-vans and fleet purchases by government to remain profitable.  Economics 101 is going to win out here in the long run. 
— Thom Bateman
Newport News, Virginia

MORE FOR FEWER
Re: Tom Bethell’s Population, Economy, and God:

I leave to theologians questions related to God, but let’s clear up questions related to population and economic growth. Tom Bethell falls into the trap of believing that rising prosperity leads to lower fertility but not the other way around. The evidence suggests that smaller families can make a major contribution to economic development by lowering dependency ratios and allowing parents to invest more resources in the education of their children. As Bethell himself notes, “Countries with the highest fertility rates are Mali (7.4), Niger, and Uganda.” These countries are at the bottom of “the wealth chart.” What he fails to acknowledge is that many of these impoverished countries will remain at the bottom of the wealth chart, unless fertility rates fall.

On the other side of the demographic divide, rising dependency ratios in “aging” societies may pose economic challenges, but those challenges can be largely met if older workers work longer, the labor force participation rates of younger workers increases, and appropriate fiscal policies are adopted.
— Robert J. Walker
Executive Vice President, The Population Institute
Washington, District of Columbia

REVERSE MEMORIAL DAY
Re: Ben Stein’s For Crying Out Loud:

I am a retired U.S. Air Force guy as old as dirt. You, Ben Stein, just happen to be the most admired person I’ve ever encountered! As I tried to awaken from zombie to person with my first cup of coffee this morning, I tuned on the TV and there you were, on Fox. I only caught the end of your remark about Mr. B. Hussein Obama, and I wanted to memorize it, but at 81 years I have had more than enough ‘senior’ moments, like remembering things. This morning was one of them so I simply forgot your marvelous, eloquent, superb and accurate assessment of our ‘empty suit’ (AGH!) leader. Geez! Leader? That is a stretch!

Anyway, I wish to hell I can someday recall that excellent declarative…it was on target and worth recalling.

Thank you, Ben Stein, for being Ben Stein. I am a much flawed, USAF Retired old coot, who loves you.
— H.J.
Wilmington, North Carolina

GOP-SICK
Re: Larry Thornberry’s Republican Establishment Strikes Again:

This is a “spot-on” assessment of what is going on in Florida. Those Crist-endorsing fools STILL don’t get it, and are making me, and this once-great country, ILL.
— Mark-John Kasperek
Minneapolis, Minnesota