He will continue the assault on ordinary citizens

I must agree with the writer of the Sept. 2 letter "Stop Class Warfare" about two things. The first is, "This social class warfare must stop."

Republicans, on behalf of the rich, have been waging war against the working class for decades, gaining significant ground during the Reagan and both Bush administrations. They have lowered the standard of living for workers by, among other things, giving tax incentives to companies to move jobs overseas, opposing fair compensation for workers, shredding the social safety net and catering to industries like big oil and big pharmaceuticals that fleece the public. This must stop, but John McCain has been a supporter of this class warfare and, if elected, will only continue the assault.

I also agree that "John McCain knows how many homes he has and Barack Obama knows this." Of course, Mr. McCain knows how many homes, actually mansions, he owns. He was ducking the question. The point here is not his ignorance, but his dishonesty. He did not want to give Americans a clear picture of his luxurious lifestyle.

The strategy of the Republicans is to play down just how rich Mr. McCain is and how different from the rest of us he is. Answering that question would have undermined that effort, so he passed it to his campaign staff to let them put the proper spin on it. The Republicans did the same type of thing with George W. Bush, and you can see how well that worked for the American people.

DANIEL A. BOSH
Baden

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Homefront woes

I think Jack Kelly should grow up to reality. Regarding his Aug. 17 column "Silence on Georgia," condemning the left, he should review world history. The French could not conquer the Russians. The Germans could not conquer the Russians. Does he think the Americans can succeed where others have failed?

Did Mr. Kelly forget the American casualties during World War II? A war with Russia would cause 100 times the casualties and bankrupt the country. I realize he is not saying anything about a war, but his position, like that of John McCain, could lead to a confrontation. We are no longer able to be the caretaker of the rest of the world. They no longer want our interference, but only our financial aid.

In the meantime, the Russians are laughing at us. In the United States we still have children going to bed hungry while we continue to try to get the rest of the world to like us and to put our form of democracy on them. Meanwhile, Russia is spending billions of dollars to build up its country and to have its people have pride in their country.

It is time we start rebuilding our own country, pay down our large national debt and retake our place in the world as a power in industry, commerce and finance. Let us keep our noses out of other world conflict and problems.

I am 85 years old and tired of writers telling us what is wrong with the right or the left without looking at the problems the rest of the world has, and realizing that we are not in the position to fix their problems and not fix our problems first.

RALPH M. FISHER
Oakland

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Primary problem

The prospective decline in the number of primary care physicians, as described in the Aug. 24 Forum article by Drs. Lawrence R. John and Anthony Spinola ("Why Primary Care Matters") poses a significant threat to the delivery of adequate medical services in the country. This issue has not been adequately addressed to date in the media.

Primary care physicians (i.e., specialists in family practice or internal medicine) are the keystone to the delivery of medical services. Typically, the patient contacts the primary care physician in the first instance. The primary care physician usually knows the patient and his family, can evaluate medical issues in the context of the patient's medical history and offer informed advice in the selection of specialists.

There has been for years discussion in the media about the financing of medical services, especially in reference to low-income persons. However, there has been little discussion of the supply of physicians who can perform medical services once new methods of financing are established. Only if there is an adequate number of primary care physicians can medical services, however financed, be delivered to patients in this country.

J. TOMLINSON FORT
Fox Chapel

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Doctor in charge

The Aug. 24 Forum piece by Drs. Lawrence R. John and Anthony Spinola ("Why Primary Care Matters") initially drew my attention because Dr. John is my primary care physician. My own experiences bear witness to the relevance of this article.

Dr. John diagnosed my Type II diabetes in June 2002 when I described the pain in my legs and stomach muscles. Dr. John became my "home base" as he referred me to an endocrinologist, who prescribed appropriate medication; a dietitian, who taught me how to alter my eating habits; a neurologist, who treated the pain in my legs and stomach; a physical therapist, who hastened the cessation of my pain; and an athletic club, where I lost weight and toned muscle.

Because of Dr. John's aggressive monitoring, I have eliminated pain, lowered my blood sugar to an acceptable level and achieved a fitness that I had not experienced in years.

The fact that my health insurance covers my rehabilitation, except for the athletic club, affirms Drs. John and Spinola's assertion that "adequate health insurance and access to quality primary care must be priority issues."

I don't like to contemplate my health without Dr. John's helping me to "navigate our complicated health-care system."

LOREN HOLT
Oakmont

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Disturbing delivery

I was quite disturbed Sunday morning when I picked up my Post-Gazette to find the New Testament included with my paper. I cannot imagine what financial, religious or editorial impetus prompted your newspaper to include a copy of the Christian Bible along with the Sunday edition.

Particularly insidious is the source for the bible's inclusion -- www.ourcity-godsword.org/pittsburgh -- with its implication that the Christian God and the city of Pittsburgh were somehow linked. Appalling! Cancel my subscription immediately!

LYNNE FRANK
Point Breeze

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Bible appreciated

My appreciation to you for including a copy of the New Testament in last Sunday's Post-Gazette. I am very impressed with the quality of it and love the Pittsburgh photos and the article about Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. I have also spoken with several others who received it and they have already started to read the material.

This is a great blessing for our city as we celebrate our 250th anniversary.

DIANE MODER
Dormont

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Yes, thank you

I just wanted to thank the Post-Gazette for the Bible in last Sunday's paper. I find it very inspiring and an excellent witness tool to pass on!

Please keep up the good work!

JANIE ANDERSON
Bethel Park

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This Iraq success has received scant attention

This month there was a monumental victory that took place in Iraq. The Al Anbar Province, once known "as the most violent place in all of Iraq," was turned over to the Iraqi government. Very little news of this event has been reported by the liberal media and for only one reason: It makes Barack Obama look extremely foolish.

Mr. Obama was completely wrong about the surge and our mission in Iraq. Now, he doesn't even have the backbone to say to the troops, "I'm sorry, I was wrong in doubting your ability to win." The soldiers of the "Iron Brigade" 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, with whom I served in Iraq, and our brothers and sisters from many other states who served with courage and honor in Al Anbar during the dark days of 2005 and 2006, never failed in our mission. The foundation for victory was being laid. The battles for Fallujah, Ramadi and the many other cities and villages in Al Anbar were never easy but they were never lost!

Maybe it's time for strong, common-sense Democrats to take a look at a proven man of courage in these dangerous times. John McCain, a former combat aviator, POW and retired naval captain knows that a person of true character will not run or quit just because the task is hard! Our troops never failed in Al Anbar or anywhere else in Iraq. We persevered and performed our dangerous duties daily, even when the cowards in the Democratic Party had written us off and were willing to accept defeat in the face of an honorable victory. Sen. McCain stood for the troops and our mission. That is why he has earned the right to be saluted as our next commander in chief.

MARK RUSSAK
North Irwin

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We welcome your letters. Please include your name, address and phone number, and send to Letters to the Editor, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh 15222. E-mail letters to letters@post-gazette.com or fax to 412-263-2014. Letters should be 250 words or less, original and exclusive to the Post-Gazette. All letters are subject to editing for length, clarity and accuracy and will be verified before being published.