Readers write (Aug. 15): Unrest, equality and the president

"Feeling a bit agitated?" asked the Aug. 12 Opinion Exchange headline.

Yes, I am, but perhaps not for the same reasons that the article's author defines. What we are witnessing in England is perhaps not so much a government that does not care but the reality that the care for which it borrowed money was bringing the country to bankruptcy.

Britain has a long history of social welfare, national health care, free education through public institutions, and public housing. Having lived there for three years in the early 1970s, I saw and personally experienced that system.

I knew folks who lived in the council housing and supported their family with the country's dole but who were also working hard to find a self-sustaining occupation.

I also saw many graduates elect to go on the dole rather than seek employment because that would cut down on pub time. Granted, these examples represent a small percentage of the population.

By and large, folks worked hard to be self-sufficient.

Ever since the economic collapse of 2008, countries around the world have been experiencing protest over proposed cutbacks in public services -- France, Greece and Italy just to cite a few.

The situation is more complex than that, but for a small minority, any context for wanton violence -- especially when it can incite followers -- is an opportunity not to be wasted.

The young women who were interviewed in London by the BBC said that the riots were meant to show the police and the rich that "we can do whatever we want." This is what begins to get me agitated.

It poses a question to society about how far are we expected to extend benefits, and to whom, and who pays for it all. In a different setting, you might call the riots extortion.

The companion article on Friday's Opinion Exchange page -- "How long will the unequal distribution of wealth be tolerated in America?" -- rings an ominous tone. Socialism, anyone?

When asked what kind of society you wish to foster here in Minnesota and the United States, how will you answer the question?

ROBERT A. MAC MURDO, MINNEAPOLIS

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The Aug. 12 commentary wondering if the London riots might be replicated here posed the following questions:

• How long will the unequal distribution of wealth be tolerated by those without wealth?

• How long will those not really suffering from this economic turmoil be left alone?

All humans are obligated to share their talents and treasure -- to the best of their ability and in the best interests of all concerned.

This commentary's apparent bottom line is that London-style unrest is a normal and just retribution within a capitalist society. Long live the Protestant ethic.

GENE DELAUNE, NEW BRIGHTON

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Two letters achieved print in Friday's Readers Write, which completely bore out the recently stated philosophy of showing what readers were thinking, and to a lesser degree, whether or not they were factual.

The second letter takes umbrage with a social engineering comment in a flat-tax letter, by stating that it is rather a process of "sharing a tiny portion of the wealth of the richest country in the world." Really?

We continue to lose our focus on important matters and important results by being distracted by side issues.

Would not a successful reduction of our debt position, an improvement in our financial health and a passing of that financial health on to our children all be more important measures of success than gender balance?

Would not a recognition that we are no longer "the richest country in the world" be an important first step in instituting the austerity necessary for balancing our budgets?

I would grade the letters' factual accuracy as a D-minus. The "D" standing for Distraction and Denial.

PAUL KEMMY, MINNETONKA

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Lest people forget what this president has accomplished thus far, he has:

• Made college loans more affordable.

• Passed new consumer protections for credit card users.

• Increased federal regulations of tobacco products.

• Made attacks based on sexual orientation hate crimes.

• Passed legislation that gave businesses tax incentives to hire unemployed workers.

• Passed legislation that provided two forms of tax credits for first-time homeowners.

• Revitalized the auto industry.

• Passed a Wall Street accountability act.

• Passed a stimulus package that the Taxpayers for Common Sense said showed a record low amount of fraud and waste.

• Passed an AIG bailout that has been repaid with interest.

This president has repeatedly tried to find a middle ground and work with those on the other side of the aisle. I hope that both sides will see the futility of the "win at all costs" mentality.

Our country deserves better.