Fire or Ice

Sir / The title of your cover article "The Two Americas" [Oct. 2] reflects the contemporary delusion that the American political organism is fractured into two parts. It is as if there existed a left and a right hand without the great body in between.

For the Middle American (conceiving that term in the economic, not cultural or social sense) there is no choice in the presidential election. On the Nixon side there is a caste of the superprivileged: on the McGovern side, a caste of the underprivileged. The "apathy" which you allude to reflects a dim awareness on the part of the Middle American that he has been given a choice between death by fire or by ice.

CECIL D. EBY

Tecumseh, Mich.

Sir / You seem to suggest, both through explicit statements and not so subtle innuendo, that anyone who supports Nixon must be as selfish, money-dominated, obtuse and unprincipled as you perceive the President to be.

Writing of this sort is insulting both to the integrity of a large segment of the American public and the intelligence of your own readership.

TODD ROTHBARD

Westfield, N.J.

Sir / If Richard Nixon is indeed less compassionate than George McGovern. it is not because he was raised a Quaker rather than a Methodist. Instead, one might say it is because his early religious education did not take.

F.B.GODEKE

Olney, Ill.

Sir / It is strange how people will go along with President Nixon on Viet Nam and possibly give up their lives, but they won't follow the McGovern ethic of helping one's fellow man and give up some money.

PAT SALA

Birmingham. Mich.

Sir / According to TIME, McGovern's view of government is paternalistic, whereas Nixon's is individualistic. McGovern will give you the basics of life and then tell you how to live, whereas Nixon will give everyone the opportunity to make and live his own life. The choice is clear.

AMY GILREATH

Nokesville, Va.

Sir / George McGovern doesn't frighten us. We are old enough to recall all the fears about that "terrible radical" Franklin D. Roosevelt, who proved to be an outstanding President.

Who should be afraid of a label? We should fear far more the reality that we have in the presidency now.

HELEN CARDEN

Boulder Creek, Calif.

Sir / Considering his many solid accomplishments, why is it so "astonishing" that Nixon has such a big lead in the polls? How could we go for four years of whining, complaining, vacillating and indecision by one who has exhibited such a mediocre record as a Senator?

NEAL ROHRER

Kingsburg, Calif.

Sir / I think your story about "two Americas" was laced with truths, but you copped out in the last paragraph. Where is the increased sophistication you attribute to today's electorate if the voters are less willing to discuss issues? Perhaps the issues today are too painful for Americans to be honest with themselves about. The war, poverty, racism, etc., draw sharply uncomfortable contrasts between our professed ideals and our country's recent policies and actions. Nixon's America seems neither candid nor even curious about the root causes of these national failures of the "American Dream."

ROBERT L. GAY

Portland, Ore.

Sir / I'm a 37-year-old WASP middle-class Southerner. I liked Ike, backed Nixon against J.F.K., watched polls for Goldwater. worked for R.M.N. against H.H.H.

All of my years perched on the elephant's back have taught me one truth: the G.O.P. has never done a beneficial thing for ordinary folks and never will. Its basic philosophy is to let the people bite the bullet while the fat cats get fatter.

I'm now a Republican for McGovern.

WILLIAMS. DOXEY

Carrollton, Ga.

Pat and Eleanor

Sir / Hooray for Eleanor McGovern [Oct. 9]! At last there could be a woman in the White House who is willing to stand up and be counted for what she believes, who is capable of discussing issues and who would be more than a china-doll First Lady. How interesting to contrast her style with that of Mrs. Nixon, who can say after a cross-country trip that she didn't see any problems.

(MRS.) JEANNE BREAUGH

Lansing, Mich.

Sir / Without a doubt, Eleanor is prettier than George. But for all her ersatz eyelashes and frosted hair, her image is still one of a wife parroting the absurd, any-promise-for-a-vote utterances of her husband.

HENRY R.UHLAND

Tacoma. Wash.

Sir / Since everyone is so enamored of the candidates' wives, surely it must be time for a woman to campaign for the presidency on her own behalf.

PHYLLIS TURNER

Tucson, Ariz.

Why Did They Come?

Sir / You quote President Nixon as telling some New York City parochial school students "The people who came to the American shores didn't come for a handout...they came for an opportunity [Oct. 9]." Perhaps the President's exuberant belief in the Protestant ethic accounts for his overlooking the fact that the forefathers of 10% of our population came to the American shores in chains--as handouts.

ERIC JOY

Pittsburgh

Roasted Cats

Sir / And it came to pass that three antiwar activists journeyed to the camp of the enemy to escort three American prisoners of war back to their homeland [Oct. 9] and thereby, in collaboration with the enemy, to score a great propaganda victory over the U.S. But upon arriving in their homeland, the three American prisoners of war emerged from their aircraft adorned in the military uniform of their country, complete with decorations they had received in combat with the enemy. They thereupon repudiated those who sought to make profit from them--causing the profit-seekers to scream like roasted cats. And lo, the propaganda victory had turned to ashes.

Score one for the home team.

W.B. ROUTSONG

Dayton

Sir / That the cynical men of Hanoi should seek to use P.O.W.s as political guided missiles to influence the American election is hardly surprising.

Of one thing I am very certain: Americans will never tolerate such interference in our election process. Woe to the politician who seeks to win by becoming a "Manchurian Candidate."

CHARLES HASEK

Grand Rapids

Who Is Unemployed?

Sir / Your article on unemployment, "Not Enough Jobs" [Oct. 9] takes my words far, far out of context.

The President has been working to achieve an economy that will provide jobs for everyone who wants to work. In the meanwhile, in treating one part of the unemployment problem, we need to concentrate federal manpower programs on training the unskilled. My words, in correct context, referred only to that one aspect of the problem.

The President reduced overall military manpower levels, which added large numbers to the work force, and he reduced defense contracting, which reduced the number of civilian defense jobs. Yet employment has reached 82.2 million, an alltime high, achieved with record numbers of new jobs over the past two years.

It is inaccurate to suggest, as your article implies, that the total unemployment rate and numbers represent people who have lost their jobs. Of the 4.8 million unemployed in September 1972, 635,000 left their jobs voluntarily; 649,000 were seeking work for the first time; and 1,452,000 had decided to return to work after having voluntarily separated from work some time ago. In fact, 2.1 million, less than half of the 4.8 million unemployed, had actually lost their jobs.

That number is still too high, but it does suggest that a narrow approach to the statistics alone may be misleading.

JOHN D. EHRLICHMAN

Assistant to the President for

Domestic Affairs

The White House

Washington, D.C.

Come Home

Sir / Hooray for "The State of Union" [Oct. 9]! Since World War II, America's liberal Protestant seminaries have been ignoring parish churches and their pastoral needs. Conservative evangelical seminaries have expanded to train the parish ministers that Union, Yale, Chicago, Harvard, et al., refuse to supply. Money for these institutions is therefore predictably drying up. And the teachers' "barrage of debunking and skepticism," aimed at students who already are startled when someone inquires, "Don't we begin with a prayer?", is completing the ruination of liberal Protestantism.

This is both an American and a Christian tragedy. Come home Union, Yale, Chicago, Harvard. Come home!

(THE REV.) JAMES N. McCUTCHEON

First Congregational Church

Kalamazoo, Mich.

Sir / A few years ago, in a society bulging with injustice and suffering, Union Theological Seminary was wearing a $300 suit woven from threads of tradition, academic excellence, a liberal perspective and a critical (though serious) approach to the biblical message and Christian life. Although the seminary no longer wears the same clothes, it still maintains its questioning and truth-seeking spirit today. Bless Union for its willingness to face the risks that the Christian faith demands in an age and nation no longer innocent or holy--despite the popularity of Jesus.

WILLIAM PHILLIPS

New York City

A Little Vinegar

Sir / TIME Essayist Stefan Kanfer writes in "The Decline and Fill of the American Hot Dog" [Oct. 2]: "As for mustard, it goes on those dubious wieners, adding its adulterates to theirs." Prepared mustard made in the U.S. is by regulatory mandate pure, consisting of ground mustard seed or mustard flour, salt, vinegar, with or without sugar and/or dextrose, spices or other condiments.

It contains no additives, chemicals or artificial preservatives.

ERNEST REVEAL

President

The R.T. French Co.

Rochester

Schooled

Sir / Your article "Illinois Innovator" [Oct. 9] about Michael J. Bakalis, superintendent of public instruction, was excellent and made me feel especially proud, because he happens to be my son. However, may I correct one error. Yes, I came here from Greece many years ago, but I am not unschooled as your article stated. I was educated in Greece and also attended school in Istanbul.

JOHN C. BAKALIS

Chicago

Padded Bra

Sir / Putting a Rolls-Royce hood on a VW Bug [Oct. 9] is like wearing a padded bra.

NANCY RUFF

Lewiston, Me.

Bumper Stickers

Sir / Speaking of bumper stickers [Oct..9], how about "Being President means never having to say you're sorry."

GLORIA LARRIEU

Kalamazoo, Mich.

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