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Putting Ideals Into Action

Managing Editor Richard Stengel is right: Americans are hungry to be asked to do something [Sept. 10]. During World War II, we all were asked to do something, and we did. Back then, we were joined in a common cause. Today there is a void. We need to resurrect a sense of obligation to our country besides taxes and voting. One way to help accomplish this would be to institute a draft. Everyone should be obligated to serve the country in some fashion. Maybe then we would stop identifying ourselves with narrow labels such as liberal, conservative, Democrat and Republican and move toward what Patrick Henry expressed in saying "I am not a Virginian, but an American."

Bud Nielsen, San Miguel, Calif.

I am a sophomore in high school, and this article captured perfectly my hopes for this country and its citizens. I was in a state of euphoria as I read about some of the programs I had visited during a Civicweek in the Bronx, N.Y., co-sponsored by the Civic Education Project and Northwestern University. I fell in love with City Year, Teach for America and the Harlem Children's Zone during that amazing, eye-opening week. I hope that our national leaders will integrate service opportunities into our government and thus boost national pride.

Lily Austin, Springfield, PA.

Maybe it's because I'm one of those fringe libertarians, but it seems to me that there are ways to encourage volunteerism without the dubious help of state and federal governments. Significant growth of volunteerism and the proliferation of nonprofit start-ups are good signs that people have already found avenues for service without burdensome bureaucracy or tax-funded carrots. Even if a national-service system ends up costing only the relative pittance Stengel cited, the cost would be in addition to those of the Iraq war and federal prisons, not in their stead. Whether through conscription, graduation requirements or bonds funded by income or corporate taxes, a national-service system would be a drain on everyone and would cheapen the sacrifice of those who serve willingly.

Eric Dzinski, St. Louis, MO.

I wholeheartedly support Stengel's call for national service. I have written my Representatives proposing an idea, to no avail. I suggest that instead of creating elaborate laws to solve the problem of illegal immigration, we should require that illegal aliens spend a year in national service--defending the country in the military, rebuilding infrastructure or combating climate change in a green corps--to become eligible for citizenship.

Dick Ehrle, Barrington, Ill.

I'm a Gen X mother of two and a volunteer, and I see many peers also performing volunteer services that are making a difference locally and globally. I love my country, but the current Administration is operating so poorly, it will take generations to undo the damage. To offset this, I try to do my part to improve social conditions and the environment, which will affect generations to come.

Jennifer G. Morgan, Boise, Idaho

Stengel's national-service plan would butcher the very Republic he seeks to preserve. His proposal would require funding and create organizations for any number of corrupt officials to exploit. Such a plan would also obliterate the spirit of volunteerism, whose very nature and definition mean participation without incentives--monetary or otherwise. Americans do need to band together for the betterment of our delicate Republic' but amplifying the government's already expansive role and excessive expenditures is no answer.

Virginia Shields, Pittsburgh, PA.

As a retired Chicago inner-city teacher and principal, I have long felt that conscripting high school dropouts in national service might reduce gang activity. Perhaps we should send teens who quit school to training camps that, like F.D.R.'s Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, would be far from cities so that gang ties would be cut. Do we need help in the national forests with multiple projects? You bet we do.

Roger Vernon, Elgin, Ill.

Edwards Edges Toward '08

John Edwards is wasting his time campaigning, since Clinton is the anointed one [Sept. 10]. And unless Barack Obama attacks her more, he'll be wasting his time too. The Democratic field is terrified of the Clinton machine, which is expert at personal destruction and will stop at nothing to get her the nomination. It might be Obama's strategy not to attack Clinton because he wants to be on the ticket as V.P.

Joe Spehar, Springerville, Ariz.

I guess we know whom Pooley is voting for. But if Edwards is elected President, Pooley can just keep soaking in that sweet-tea voice while Edwards raises taxes again--and again and again.

Eddie Tencza, San Antonio

It is outrageous for Elizabeth Edwards to attack Hillary Clinton's electability. After all, the Clintons have a long track record of winning tough elections by comfortable margins, while John Edwards certainly can't make the same boast.

Reba Shimansky, New York City

Healing Currents

Congratulations to Jeffrey Kluger for his article "Rewiring the Brain," about how deep-brain stimulation with electric current can help treat the tremors of Parkinson's disease, among other possible applications [Sept. 10]. I've had Parkinson's for nearly 12 years, so I know the crazy ways the incurable disease chips away at my brain's control center. Stories like yours give all of us with Parkinson's hope. With the help of a charismatic personal trainer at my local ymca fitness center, I've learned to face this awesome disease by fighting back to reclaim my balance and range of motion. It's not easy, but it is satisfying when the hard work pays off.

David H. Anderson, Sarasota, Fla.

Embracing the Silver Strands

Thanks to Anne Kreamer and TIME for the article on whether women should color their hair [Sept. 10]. I'm 57 and started dyeing my hair in my mid-30s. When I turned 50, I decided that since I'd been a grandma from age 39, it was time I looked like one. Coloring your hair is a pain in the arse, as the Irish say. Your roots grow out in a week or two, and you have to touch them up or look like a skunk. Surely women have become liberated enough to do what they want. But if they decide to fake it, they should use a lighter dye to make it look more natural.

Lisa Singer-Hamilton, Cincinnati, Ohio

I am 38 years old, and I don't understand what the big deal is over going gray. I've been getting steadily balder since I hit 30, and my remaining hair is turning gray. When I was growing up, my father made and serviced toupees. I thought they were ugly and reflected the wearer's incredible insecurity. I feel the same way about hair dye for men and women. Being who you are rather than putting up some kind of fac,ade shows much stronger character. By all means, dress well, and stay healthy and fit. But dyeing your hair is right up there with dressing like a teenager when you are 40. For those who claim it's different for women, I respectfully reply that it shouldn't be--and perpetuating the supposed difference won't help.

Steve Rummel, Chicago

I read "The Gray Wars" with smug amusement. When my glorious mane of auburn hair started turning gray more than 15 years ago, I tried to maintain it artificially and was mortified by the black-and-purple results. Today I am 51, long divorced, gray-haired and chunky, but I'm still very sexually active. Boomers need to realize that if we fulfill our life expectancy, we will be gray much longer than we were brunet, blond or auburn. Embrace the silver. People will choose to be around you if you are adventurous and love life. You can't buy that in a bottle.

Kathy Pippin, Cookeville, Tenn. MAILBAG Biggest mail getter: Universal national service 76% A government call to service would enrich the nation 24% A government call to service would only violate the definition of volunteerism