‘Money, Money, Money…’
As an American living abroad, I shuddered at the overt tone of self-abasement before the hollow ideals of greed and selfishness expressed in your article “They’re Rich (And You’re Not)” (U.S. Affairs, July 5). If there’s a party celebrating the booming economy, at whose expense is it being held? Look around you, America: not many other nations are partying like you. I don’t think any other society in history so brazenly deified its citizens merely because of their ability to hoard money. What kind of creativity does that take? The old Biblical admonition still rings true: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matt. 16:25-26). And America certainly needs more “soul” at the moment. Bill Kraus Sapporo, Japan
If you don’t have what it takes to make millions, but still want to enjoy the lifestyle–charm those who can! Mary Jane Gore Charlottesville, Virginia
Greetings from the under-$40,000 income tier! Of course it would be nice to be in a higher tax bracket. But hey, my kids love me, my boss thinks I do good work, my wife’s still crazy about me after 17 years and my health is great. If riches are defined by material wealth, a lot of us don’t qualify. Change the meaning of wealth, and I live like a king. Victor Czerkasij Ooltewah, Tennessee
I was stunned to read about the wealth of some Americans. I wish some of it could be shared with our friends in Kenya. Instead of going on a shopping spree in Europe (at 12 percent off), people should send funds to straighten up all the telephone poles and tighten the wires in Kenya. Myriad Africans could benefit from the pocket change of the big spenders in the West. Louise Anderson Nairobi, Kenya
It’s one thing to see companies with real innovation and talent getting excess valuation; it is quite another when the goal is clearly just to cash out by the founders and venture capitalists supporting the company till it goes public. These company stocks will work their way into mutual-fund portfolios, and it is the individual investor who will pay for this greed. As Peter Lynch says in his book “One Up on Wall Street,” whenever you say to yourself, “How the hell can this person be worth that much money,” it usually means he isn’t. The stock is overvalued. Peter Hupalo St. Paul, Minnesota
Here I am, one of your fortyish readers with a six-figure income. It has taken me a long time to build my nest egg, and I’m nowhere close to the financial status of those “rich” folks your article mentioned. But why should I envy a couple of college guys who succeeded at pushing their creative ideas to the limit of success? Or the woman who has worked her tail off at Microsoft and reaped the financial rewards? I should be proud of these people. So when I see the smile on Trish Millines’s face, what hits my heart isn’t “Why not me?” but rather, “Go for it; pursue that dream.” Neil Rue Portland, Oregon
I devoured your story with great interest. When we view life as a carnival of cash, directly linking self-esteem with a paycheck, it comes as no surprise that America is rife with unhappy people who worry that they have “missed out on the party.” Laura Merritt Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What happened to Generation X? After reading your story on America’s booming economy, one might conclude that things are looking good for all those formerly disillusioned youths. With no important war to die in and no evil empire to destroy, how is a youngster of the ’90s to define him- or herself? Is developing neat ideas worth millions of dollars, without having to cheat anyone to do it, the American Dream come true? Having chosen grad school, I fear that I’ll never own a sports car. Whatever. Eric Reed Paris, France
Dangers on the High Seas
I wish to compliment you on the article “Where Pirates Still Sail,” on piracy in the South China Sea (Society & The Arts, July 5). Let’s hope it will alert people to the problem. Jan Katkjaer Hong Kong
Thanks for your report “Where Pirates Still Sail.” Because of the poor economic state of many Asian countries, I’ve been worried about the pirates’ increasing violence these days. Currently, the pirates’ target is not only the captain’s cash box, but also the whole ship and, above all, the seamen’s lives. I strongly plead to the International Maritime Organization and vessel owners’ associations that it’s high time to take action against piracy. Shin Jeong Seon Pusan, South Korea
To say that “everybody in Asia will look the other way for a pack of money”–as Clay Wild, an investigator with Western Pacific Marine Ltd. in Hong Kong, is quoted as saying in your article–is irresponsible and contemptuous and shows a lack of perspective. It’s sad that he’s in Asia and knows only of bribetakers and pirates. Until the Western media and public get a better understanding of other people, whole societies will be judged by the actions of a few. W. H. Koo Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Tears and Prayers Over Kosovo
I was on an airplane at night somewhere over Pennsylvania when I read your story about the atrocities in Kosovo (" ‘Daddy, They’re Killing Us’," Special Report, June 28). It prompted me to do something I had not done in 15 years: I prayed. I prayed for the innocent lives lost, and I prayed for justice for the killers. Not our justice, but God’s justice. Jacques Blanchard Louisville, Colorado
The horror of Sebehate Berisha’s death saddens my heart, as does the senseless killing of families whose murders your story documented. It’s a paradox I can never understand–that human beings are capable of both great compassion and nauseating evil. The choice lies with each of us. Susan Atwood Fisher Ann Arbor, Michigan
Taking Aim at Gun Laws
In your article on gun-control laws “Caught in the Cross-Fire” (U.S. Affairs, June 28), you cite the often-quoted statistic that 80 percent of Americans would prefer stricter regulation of firearms. I sincerely doubt that 80 percent of Americans are knowledgeable about our current gun-control laws. What the public wants is less violent crime, which–despite horrible aberrations such as the shootings in Littleton, Colorado–has in fact been declining steadily for years. Peter Coppenrath Westboro, Massachusetts
Defending ‘Global’ Morality
What an ironic caption beneath the photo of Bill Clinton in your article “The Lessons of a ‘War of Values’ " (World View, June 28). Of all the leaders in the world, this troubled man is supposed to defend “global” morality? Clinton cannot even stand up for his own morality. He could not protect his own family from his lust and lies, and he stood in front of his own nation and lied unscrupulously. Stanislav Porej Colombo, Sri Lanka
The Yin and Yang of Science
Your article “From Both Sides Now,” on how men and women tend to ask different scientific questions when doing research, reassured me, as a future biologist, of the fact that men and women must cooperate in science (Society & the Arts, June 28). There is a reason that nature developed two genders with alternate sets of minds. When I become a scientist, I will view gender diversity as the most valuable source of different, alternate and complementary thoughts. Jozsef Kun Pecs, Hungary
Tiananmen, 1989: I Was There…
I really appreciated Bao Tong’s logical and profound analysis of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown (“Reversing the Verdict,” World View, June 7). I was a teen-ager back then, and I witnessed the demonstrations led by the university students. The crackdown frightened me. Later on I saw some bloody photos taken by the elder brother of one of my classmates, and I knew that the crackdown was cruel and sadistic. Today people in China are not as idealistic as they were 10 years ago. It seems like everyone is busy making money. People are becoming more cynical–but maybe that is exactly what the regime wants. Harold Wang Beijing, China
