In a free market, consumers are ‘in charge’
Re: “America heading toward Chaos Zone,” June 28
Bill O’Reilly links many of America’s problems to a lack of strong leadership from President Obama. Referring to the economy, he asks, “Is anyone in charge here?”
His question illustrates a misunderstanding of the workings of a free market, where consumers are “in charge.” By choosing to buy– or not to buy — goods entrepreneurs bring to the market, consumers pick winners and losers. Stocks very well could drop 1,000 points in a day, but this would rarely occur if not for attempts by politicians and bureaucrats to be “in charge” by imposing regulation, subsidization, taxation, and inflation.
The economy works best when no one individual or group uses the politics of force to be “in charge.” The last thing we need are strong leaders who attempt to control us.
R. Ben Sperry
Alexandria
Constitution does not require president to be a veteran
“Military service is not White House prerequisite,” from readers, June 29
Requiring presidents to have military service would establish a degree of exclusivity to the presidency, which may be the furthest thing from the Founders’ intentions.The Constitution requires only that one be a 35-year-old, natural-born citizen who has lived in the country permanently for 14 years.This invitation to governance is unique to democracy. Limiting it to only those who have served in the military impinges upon that open invitation.
How does one qualify which branch of service has more correlation to preparedness for the Oval Office? The number of years or tours of duty served?How could one possibly distinguish between those who served during conscription and those who enlisted voluntarily?How do you compare the service experiences of support staff to combat troops?
A presidential candidate should have an intimate appreciation of the armed forces and their unparalleled importance to our nation.Although prior military experience may be the easiest way to demonstrate this, it is by no means the only way.
Casey Way
Owings, Md,
Commander in chief should have military experience
Re: “Let’s require presidents to have prior military service,” June 28
Kudos upon kudos for the column in which Gregory Kane stated, “Let’s require presidents to have prior military service.” After servicing in the U.S. Navy from 1964 through 1967 during the Vietnam era, I completely agree with him.
Any officeholder who wants to be the commander in chief of the armed forces should have served in uniform. I’ll go one better.I agree with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., who stated a couple of years ago that we should reinstate the draft for all young men 18 years of age. At least that would solve some obesity, hygiene and discipline problems we have now.
Ron Krise
Washington
