Roth Wrong on Patriotism

I am writing in response to Samantha Roth's column ("Reality vs. Republicanism," Sept. 25). Ms. Roth charges three major indictments against the Republican Party. The first is "superficial flag-waving." She cites the alleged superficiality of the "Support Our Troops" ribbon and other such propaganda. To this I must protest immediately for it is impossible for Ms. Roth to know the circumstances behind a stranger's action. She does not know if that person has a son or daughter in the armed services.

This summer I had the pleasure of spending 36 hours on the road and the further I got from New York the more I noticed these ribbons. It wasn't corporate fat cats with all of them. It was truckers, farmers, the elderly and anyone else you imagine driving a station wagon. To lay a blanket charge against these fine examples of the Republican core is tantamount to libel.

The other two charges that she places against Republicans can be coupled together as the disadvantages to a free market system. Ms. Roth tells us that she's "no economics major," but a basic knowledge of the free market system would suffice. Simple economics teaches us that the forces of supply and demand will dictate the most efficient allocations of resources and that and that to go against this would mean waste and lost jobs.

Her second economic charge has been set against management level employees. Again simple knowledge of economics would reveal that there is in fact a labor market for corporate leaders as much as there is a market for any other occupation that exists. So it has been determined by supply and demand just what Reuben Mark should be making.

Now here is my bias. I have a twin brother who has finished boot camp as a member of the Military Police. He shares my views, our parents drive an SUV, they fly their flag and have been known to vote Republican. Should he be pressed into combat, Ms. Roth, could you still say to our family, the same family that taught to love his country, that they stole the essence of patriotism?