"I read the feedback regarding the weakness of American democracy stemming from it's provincial and antiquated roots, and the concentrated powers of the president.

"I remain convinced, however, that the biggest problem America faces is skewed legislation enacted due to limitless and privately funded election campaigns. Instead of looking after our interests, most of our legislators' time is necessarily spent raising re-election funds. Bills concerning insurance or medicine or energy are written by insurance or drug or oil companies; with political contributions, they buy the votes needed to pass legislation.

"If a baseball runner, sliding into home plate, were to get up and stuff money in the umpire's pocket before he made his call, we would consider it unsportsmanlike and harmful to the game. If a trial lawyer were to hand an envelope of money to a judge before he rendered his verdict, we would consider it illegal, even criminal. But, if a company or organization needing favorable legislation contributes to a political campaign, we Americans think it's acceptable. It is hard to imagine how this country will long remain strong and viable with such a system."

Steve Unger [sssunger@verizon.net] agrees with Frank Denton regarding the connections between Al Quaeda and Oil:

"It's hard to argue with Frank Denton's points regarding the importance of American energy independence. The conclusions are evident. However, until we can change the financial mess we have ourselves in, it is nearly impossible to approach such a task.

"Our nation, both public and private, has taken on an institutionalized structure of perma-debt. We are committed to more than $70 trillion in expenses that we have no production to cover. In my opinion, this is the clearest sign of our 'difficult engagement' with morality.

"The big game in town uses this structure to essentially enslave the populace. Malinvestment is rampant and, come to think of it, probably responsible for a rather large amount of our energy use."

John Yolton [jyolton@pacbell.net] bemoans the fact that the US education system is not generating any factory workers any more:

"Your recent comments on education are especially relevant, timely and timeless. Your opinion on the USA education system is exactly correct.

"I have spent all of my career (42 years thus far) in the Pulp and Paper industry on both sides of the fence - end-user and supplier - in an industry which is by nature mostly rural. Finding future workers is a huge problem, for the very reasons you suggest. Here is the link to an article I recently wrote on the subject:

WANTED: Factory Workers - The largest manufacturing country in the world is having trouble finding skilled labor

"My concern is where is the leadership for this critical issue? There has to be a concern at the highest levels of both federal and state government for this problem. But sadly, I have yet to see any widely recognized official take this issue to heart. It seems that manufacturing sustainability is not on the agenda."