Mailbag

Unlikely allies

Thank you for the article on school choice. I find it easy to counter the arguments made by those opposed to choice options. One counterargument is that we are free to accept or reject the offer. Families may decide any attached “strings” have no bearing on their goals, so let programs come along and let the families decide. While I support HSLDA, I don’t mind if some of the taxes gov­ernment gathers for education from all of us come back to me to support the education of my children. I believe taxes for education should be used for all our children regardless of the delivery method, rather than taking our money and giving it only to some children in a specific system.

To my fellow Christians who believe in only supporting the public schools, I would ask why—in light of the many failures with this system—they propose that the only way to support education is to funnel our money to the government and then have the government control it? Keep in mind that government institutions have some of the worst HR policies that make it difficult to remove underperforming staff.

When I need to help someone, that help should go directly to the person, and I do not consider my taxes going to government programs as a substitute for helping those around me. It might be possible someday for Americans to give our money directly to parents for the purpose of education within our own communities without using government in the middle. But as long as the gov­ernment is going to tax everyone for education, then we should allow some of those funds to go to children receiving education from any delivery method.
     Bill Miller / Winston-Salem, N.C.

I loved the article “Unlikely allies,” and I applaud the young man who uses rap to tell his friends outside of his school about Jesus. In reading the lyrics he shared (viz., “I’m trying to get my feelings out / I’ve chosen You without a doubt”), in light of Mark 13:20 and many other passages, I recommend that the lyric read as follows: “I’m trying to get my feelings out / You’ve chosen me without a doubt.”
     Art Bergquist / San Marcos, Calif.

WORLD laid out important concerns on both sides. An argument I heard recently against school choice is that especially ESAs artificially infuse so much money into the system that it out-prices homeschooling families who choose not to take government money.
     Hannah Peltier / Riverton, Utah

Government funding should not go to pay for education, period. This constitutes a forced redistribution of wealth, which is always unjust whether it is performed by an individual or the state. Like any persistent injustice, forcibly redistributing wealth is thoroughly corrupting. It corrupts the politicians who pass out the funds, who invariably use the money to buy votes and brag about how generous and compassionate they are (with other people’s money, of course). And it corrupts the recipients, fostering dependency on the state and engendering a sense of covetousness. Education should be funded privately, by a free people, acting freely.
     Marvin Vaughan / Rochester, Minn.

The summer of cinema’s discontent

As I read this article, I was reminded of the times date night at the movies was enjoyable. The most recent time we attended a movie was stressful and probably our last time. The tickets were expensive, the theater had reserved seating only (with single seating here and there available), and the staff obviously did not want to be there. Our date nights are better spent at the dining room table playing games and talking!
     Debra Robinson / Havana, Fla.

Triple thrills

I am disappointed that I purchased a book recommended by John Wilson, What Fire Brings. Wilson stated the book had “some strong language.” In my opinion the book has a great deal of strong language. I only made it to page 83 before I gave up.
     Laura (Edd) Bills / Morgantown, W.Va.

Creative characters and curious creatures

I look forward every month to the children’s books reviews. I just ordered Before the Seed. My grandchildren are between 4 and 10, so I need lots of good ideas. They love books! Please keep them coming.
     Karen Sullivan / Hood River, Ore.

The Velvet Underground almost 60 years later

I always appreciate Arsenio Orteza’s reviews of artists of every genre. From them I regularly discover, or rediscover, great music to add to my playlists. However, as one who loves the music of Lou Reed and who thinks Keith Richards’ recent cover stands up with anything being played today, I think a stronger caution to readers may be needed. Something in addition to jaded poignancy runs through much of Reed’s music, and it may be best described as casual depravity. Keep up the good work.
     Matt Grist / Wooster, Ohio

The race that honored God

This article addresses an important issue. Sabbath keepers often face pressure of a subtle sort. An encroaching deadline, a big event, or a financial opportunity is often marshaled out as reasons to work “just this once.” That is why the example of Eric Liddell is so important. The deadlines, events, and opportunities of most companies are nothing compared to winning a gold medal for your country. But he refused to compromise because he was fully ­persuaded of God’s promise, “Them that honor me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30).
     Rev. J. Logan Shelton / Opelika, Ala.

I find it to be ironic that we celebrate Eric Liddell’s stance on Sabbath observance while immersing ourselves in watching athletes violate it every Sunday. When there are Christians involved in professional sports, we are willing to overlook their persistent violation of God’s commandments because they are able to witness in the locker room, kiss a cross, or point to heaven as they score. Eric loved God and therefore kept His commandments.
     Bruce Nelson / Byron Center, Mich.

Workforce boost

I’m shocked and saddened to read your positive spin on illegal immigration. This administration is trying to paint a pretty picture of what has been an immense and intentional failure in securing our country’s borders. This puts tremendous strain on already stressed city and county budgets. Crime has escalated in almost all metro and now rural counties from this implosion. Big business wants cheap labor, and our own citizens, mostly minorities, are the ones hurt most—being replaced in the job market. WORLD continues to be sympathetic to the massive breaking of our laws on the border.
     Kathy Connors / Medina, Wash.

Monthly WORLD

I had been ready to cancel my subscription after reading the first once-a-month magazine, containing several long articles that were non-journalistic in style and not on currently relevant events or ­topics, but the August issue renewed my faith in WORLD. The cover art on school choice was very clever, and the article itself was good, too. The article on Portland’s demise, the one on the closing of several Christian colleges, the one about homelessness, and the ones about the Olympics were very timely, interesting, and well written.
     Pam Prichard / Los Alamos, N.M.

With the switch to a monthly format, WORLD has morphed into a different magazine, more akin to the monthly magazines I pick up at the newsstand to read during a long flight. No longer can I read through the magazine in 1-2 days and hand it to family members to read. So now, instead of reading at least 80 percent of the contents I now can barely read 20 percent during the usual time I have to read the magazine. Gone also is the timely relevance of the latest news.
     Harold H. Fain / Fort Worth, Texas

I wanted to let you know that I love the new design of WORLD: bigger magazine that just feels good in your hands when you read it, in-depth stories, and more content overall! I am sad to not get an issue as frequently, but a happy byproduct is that I have gone back to ­listening to WORLD Radio News and The World and Everything in It.
     Rebecca Hatch / Kechi, Kan.

Correction

Sen. J.D. Vance and his wife have three children (“Loved and hated,” September edition).

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WORLD Mailbag
PO Box 20002
Asheville, NC 28802

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