A NATION OF WHINERS?

ANDREW FERGUSON'S "We Can't Handle the Truth" (July 28) omitted mention of Phil Gramm's other cardinal offense (besides his challenge to the popular mired-in-recession paradigm). This was to describe America as a "nation of whiners." May I suggest this as the topic for a second installment by Ferguson?

A vivid example of the whiner-nation problem was just provided in a Wall Street Journal story ("Optimism Grows Among China's Urban Dwellers," July 23) about findings of the Pew Global Attitudes Project. Only 20 percent of Americans surveyed considered their economic situation good. By contrast, Brazilians (41 percent), Egyptians (44 percent), Tanzanians (48 percent), Germans (53 percent), Indians (62 percent), Australians (69 percent), and Chinese (82 percent) ranked their economies as good.

Do these numbers correspond to the relative levels of wealth, income, or economic security in the countries surveyed? Well, no. Has recent economic history been so much worse for America than for Tanzania, Germany, or China, as these numbers suggest? Not exactly.

Something is indeed seriously wrong with America, but it's not the economy.

HOLT RUFFIN Mill Valley, Calif.

COLORADO BLUES

AS A NORTHERN COLORADO transplant and GOP partisan, I appreciated Fred Barnes's exposition of "The Colorado Model" (July 21) that evidently has helped turn my adopted state from "red" to "blue." His was simply good reporting, thorough, well sourced, and free of innuendo and wisecracks.

The Democrats have been thoughtful and strategic in this critical western state. Results are plain for all to see. It's clear that the good guys must play catch up. I look forward to Barnes's reporting from Denver later this summer.

LOU CARTIER Greeley, Colo.

FRED BARNES'S "The Colorado Model" (July 21) is the best political article of the year. The Left is finding that long-term investing in infrastructure is more effective than funding political parties or last-minute television blitzes. Too bad their policies are so pernicious.

Government is too important to be left to politicians, bureaucrats, or left-wing elitists. Leading citizens need to step forward to fund and guide independent organizations to defend and extend freedom.

A great example is American Majority, led by Ned Ryun, which is training potential candidates to be effective leaders in state and local government.

The Sam Adams Alliance is pleased to be supporting their efforts and similar efforts to help citizens reclaim control of our government.

ERIC O'KEEFE Chairman, Sam Adams Alliance
Chicago, Ill.

NEWSWEEK 'S FOLLIES

THE "OBAMAWEEK" PIECE in the Scrapbook (July 28) was quite revealing, to say the least. Five cover issues on Obama in Newsweek this year already--and who knows how many more to come. Yes, he is Newsweek's darling, and there will be still more cover stories I'm sure.

Another striking contrast that was not included in this short piece is the fact that the magazine has supplied only two cover stories on McCain thus far in 2008 (February 11 and February 18). How can five cover stories to two be considered unbiased coverage?

GLENN R. WITTIG Fort Worth, Texas

THE SCRAPBOOK'S column on Sen. Obama's frequent placement on Newsweek's cover reminded me, a former Newsweek subscriber, of the magazine's similar fawning over Bill Clinton in 1992. I recall vividly that Clinton seemed to be on Newsweek's cover at least once a month, as the magazine did its best to get him elected.

MARK ADAMS Gig Harbor, Wash.

LESSONS FROM BRITAIN

I MEAN IT WHEN I say that Fred Barnes should win a Pulitzer for his article "First, Lose Three Straight Elections" (August 4). It captures an angle that helps illuminate our own reality.

In the past, I have been intrigued by the British system of government (of course, I prefer ours), especially when listening to Blair in the House of Commons on satellite radio when he was prime minister. You captured this so well in your piece. You have hit on what I believe is the issue that the Republicans should unveil--revamping education in the United States once and for all. What a great article!

TOM QUITZAU Houston, Texas