MAILBAG:

It’s a House divided — and not so much because both Democrats and Republicans support the financial policies that has brought us to where we are. Our financial problems are caused by the injection of “socialist engineering concepts” into the business model (and education model). These socialist concepts began with the FDR administration and have grown, with increased power, under each administration.

The core problem is the federal government acting as the “Great White Father” using socialist engineering concepts applied to a free market. This must be addressed and stopped. They are not only unconstitutional — they have failed every time they have been applied or used.

Any current bailout, rescue package or payout without a ban on future government sponsored enterprises, Fannie/Freddie adventures is not acceptable. Without such a ban, we are continuing the same policy no matter how much the Democrats and Republicans claim this will never happen again. If we have the programs and support the policy, it will happen again and again and again.

Senators like Barack Obama or John McCain will keep stoking the fires of the socialist train, so we must take their shovels away from them — permanently!

August Lightfoot

Newport Beach

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Teacher appreciates the recognition

Thank you, Steve Smith, for the positive mention of TeWinkle Middle School (“Giving credit where credit is due,” Oct. 28). We do work very hard to serve all TeWinkle students, and it is especially rewarding to see the complimentary mention in your column. Our school is vastly different than what one would have encountered a few years ago. I, for one, attribute Principal Kirk Bauermeister as the person who has hastened this change. Of course, he could not have helped shift the school without the hard-working, diligent faculty he was given upon entry. But, then, I am quite prejudiced regarding our staff. Thank you again for mentioning our school.

Denise Newcomer

Newport Beach

Editor’s note: Denise Newcomer is a teacher at TeWinkle.