What@usnews.com: Letters to the Editor

Retirement Gems

I got a kick out of the writer who feels a half acre is too small after living on 12 acres before he retired. A 1/2 acre is immense to me Retirement means relax and leave the lawn maintenance to someonelse, or the doing of NEW things and not the lawn

We live(for 14 years) just south of Wilmington NC which was one of your picks for retirement. It is truely wonderful here 20 minutes from the beach. A hot summer--but the early spring,winter and late fall are unparalleled in our opinion.

We worked and lived in Mass.,Calif., and Florida before. Wilmington which is perfect for its varied population and the many events here plus it is a two college town.This brings smart people which is always important when you want to learn more in your 70's.

Hugh van Zelm 910 313 1081

health insurance

why is obama so desperate to push the changes through? the representatives admit they don't even have time to read the changes never mind study them.he has the votes so he wants credit never mind it will turn into a debt burden our children will have to suffer as well as bad health care.

Health Insurance

Have you noticed that the US government is converting to totalitarianism on, of all things, health insurance? Our leader says, "You vill buy health insurance vedder you vant it or nicht, und if you make a lot uv money, you vill pay for somebody else who makes less." Is that Americanism? Not as we've known it under a republican form of government. No, it's pure Socialism, and I don't want to live under Socialism, even if I am 80 years old and would likely benefit as my health probably deteriorates in whatever years I have left. Of course the insurance companies are probably all for it, since their congressional friends will see to it that they make out like the bandits they are.

Top Business Schools

You've got to be kidding?? Harvard, Stanford and Yale in the top ten. How many of the bailed out companies have these "best school" personnel as there directors? And do you really expect us to believe they are taught and beliive anithing about ethics. Anything goes as long as I get my big salary and a year end bonus worth more than the average worker earn in 10 years. Maybe you'd better rethink how you rate schools.

O. K. McCarthy

Abilene, Texas

Subscription Change

We have subscribed to your magaizine for many years and have thoroughly enjoyed it. However, recently, due to the fact that now each month you deal primarilly with one specific subject your emphasis is often of little or no iterest to us. For instance this months issure(May)deals with the Job market.and eduction related to the subject. As a retired person your magazine is of little value to me though it may be of great value to others. Next month may be of more interest to us but recent copies have proven to be of little interestthus far into your publishing change.

USNEWS has always covered the gamuts of newa for the American public. That is the implication in the name of your magazine.

Monthly distribution

I was amazed that you have now decided to become a monthly rather than a weekly format. I have subscribed to your magazine since 1961. When I called to establish why I am no longer getting my subscription I was surprised when told my subscription has now been extended thru 2013 and I should not expect another weekly issue. The next issue will be the first week in Feb. I was further informed that I would be receiving this information by letter. Month old news is no longer news, its history. I'll be researching another weekly and will inform your by mail when I want you to cancel my subscription as well as my two gift subscriptions. I'll definitely miss you after 48 years.

Islamic Banking Means Implementing Sharia Law

Thomas Grose's article, "The Rise of Islamic Banking" puts a positive spin on a very dangerous form of investing. While he correctly states Sharia law prohibits investing in alcohol, tobacco, pork and porngraphy, he fails to mention that a certain percentage of profits MUST go to Islamic charities. These charities are obligated to support Sharia law and thus perpetuate the following: 1)Subjugation of Muslem women 2)Forced child marriages 3)Polygamy 4)Death to homosexuals and 5)Obligation to wage holy war against infidels (that's you and me).

The majority of Muslems don't want Sharia finance and new evidence shows that Al Qaeda financed the 9/11 attacks through Islamic banking. For more information see the on-line video made by Sharia (Islamic) banking expert Professor Joy Brighton.

Pope Pius XII

And what was the Pope's role in assisting the Nazis to escape from Europe to South America after World War II?

Is it a surprise that former junior Nazi Pope Bennedict XVI is an ardent supporter of Poppe Pius XII actions?

Dear Sir

I am a conservative who has been a subscriber to US News and World Report for the better part of 50 years. I always felt your editorials and news articles were right down the middle and tilted neither left nor right. I was extremely dismayed when I read your “Voter’s Guide” analysis of the Obama/Biden ticket and the McCain/Palin ticket in the October 27th edition. In my opinion, both analyses were slanted – positive for Obama/Biden and negative for McCain/Palin.

John McCain Example: “…the McCain brand in recent weeks has taken a beating in reaching out to that still conservative base, McCain a gambler partial to craps, [negative and irrelevant] in late August put his own history on the line. A survivor of several bouts of skin cancer [negative and irrelevant], he picked an untested [untrue-tested in Alaska] and critics say, largely unqualified [in whose opinion] running mate in Alaska governor Sarah Palin, whom he barely new.” [Negative and irrelevant]. Lack of space prohibits other examples.

Sarah Palin Example: The author mentioned the “disastrous” interviews with Katie Couric but did mention that that Couric asked, “When did you stop beating your wife” type questions. Halloran also did not mention her debate with Biden, which I thought she won. Also, the VP role is to be the attack dog for the ticket, ergo she attacks Obama. And she continues to draw huge, enthusiastic crowds wherever she appears.

There are other examples including even the headlines: “McCain is Fighting Back Once Again” [presumed loser] vs. “Obama’s Unlikely Rise to Front-Runner” [presumed winner]

Nowhere does it mention in the Obama piece that he has had in the past an affiliation with several unsavory characters besides Rezko and Wright, which is a stain on Obama’s judgment. No mention was made to his past affiliation with Acorn. There are other examples as well

Democracy in Action

On May 17th and 18th I was a delegate to the Democratic Convention in Reno. It was not an inexpensive trip, what with hotel rooms and meals, and traveling hours to get there. However, I was proud to have been elected as a delegate from my county. Once there I was very disappointed. Near closing I wanted to speak for a maximum of 2 minutes. I talked with a committee member who then talked to the people on the podium and to other who might be in a position of “power”. To no avail but the following is what I wanted to say,

“I look out at you hundreds of people representing 16 counties of Nevada. You are looking at the one delegate for the 17th county, Eureka and we all came here to accomplish a goal.

At 79 years old, this is a first experience for me and I came here with such high hopes to be a part of the “grass roots” of our country. I am here to tell you that my hopes have been dashed. I have listened to speaker after speaker talk about the “change” that is needed in Washington. What I have listened to and witnessed at this convention has been nothing if not the same old thing. People on the podium not allowing delegates to speak. People on the podium exerting their power in keeping the “hoi palloi” from exerting any influence. An overpowering example of “Orwellian doublespeak”.

I came to this convention with high hopes of being a part of the “change” we all want so badly. I leave it feeling that I was only brought here to “rubber stamp” what is a farcical imitation of “Democracy in Action”.