Sad! During the debate, the presidential nominees, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, were asked about the pending Social Security crisis, and they both ran like chickens from Sunday dinner. If this is leadership, things do not bode well for our economic future.

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ROBERT KEIRSEY
San Diego

One of the most interesting debate questions concerned the potential possession of nuclear weapons by Iran and their possible use, specifically against Israel. I agree wholeheartedly with Sen. John McCain's strong stand against this possibility, and I'd like to suggest a friendly but powerful tactical communication with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that would help him to understand the senator's position. Once a day, every day, for as long as it takes to communicate, a flight of four F-16 fighters can buzz low over whatever building he happens to be in. He'd get the point.

DUKE NAUTON
San Diego

I think one thing that John McCain could have said that would have scored many points is that this financial crisis must bring forth a fundamental change in some of the Republican Party's policies and world viewpoints. In some respects, the government does have to get more involved and oversee regulation of the financial institutions responsible for this nightmare.

The GOP has to actually start putting the middle class first instead of throwing tax breaks and other financial perks to the upper class and corporations. And as the richest country in the world, yes, the Republican Party has to expand government in order to provide guaranteed health care for every American citizen. If McCain were a real maverick, he would show some humility and speak with compassion, not the same old political double-speak and inaneness.

McCain was obviously told to walk around a lot to show how spry and personable he is. The problem is, he walked like that robot in the movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still” – very stiff, and he walked in circles.

CHRISTOPHER MILLIGAN
San Diego

The Wall Street bailout money went right back to the same greedy executives who blew the money in the first place; as Newsweek reports, AIG executives spent more than $400,000 for an executive spa retreat one week after getting their hands on taxpayer money. Did golf and massages fix the economy? Barack Obama said in Tuesday night's debate that we should get our money back, and those AIG executives should be fired. That works for me.

MIKE ISBERG
San Carlos

Fixing coverage for mental health care

Regarding “Bailout includes major change for mental health care” (News, Oct. 6):

This article reminds us that our health system is broken: it is not affordable for families, businesses or government. As part of the economic bailout bill, more than one-third of all Americans will soon get better insurance coverage for mental health treatment. Presidential and congressional candidates will reform health care only when we the people demand they do.

San Diegans should ask candidates questions and demand specific action like the parity bill. Don't let it take another 12 years of passionate advocacy as it did by friends and relatives of people with mental illness and addiction disorders to pass a bill that requires equal coverage of mental and physical illnesses. Ask our congressional leaders to fight for health care like Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., did for mental health parity.

MICHELE LAGOY
San Diego

From stimulus to bailout

It seems everyone has now forgotten the $600 to $1,200 “stimulus checks” they received earlier in the year, and are now focused on the $700 billion bailout package. Our economy may be like an engine that has gone too long without an oil change. We can try additives and other gimmicks for a while, but soon it will require a complete rebuild. The only question is, how much will it really cost us?

MIKE COLBURN
Bay Park

Costs for bayfront face-lift . . .

Regarding “Bayfront face-lift concept takes wing/First phase OK'd for North Embarcadero” (Our Region, Oct. 6):

Two-hundred and twenty-eight million dollars to plant trees? The city's share should be spent on repaving our streets! You can plant a lot of trees and whimsical light poles for $114 million. If the Port District wants to spend that money I guess we can't stop it; however, the city is so deep in debt it shouldn't even consider whimsical stuff. Doesn't anybody at City Hall know how to be thrifty and say No? Besides, all the plantings should be drought-resistant unless City Hall believes the water shortage is over. Donna Fry, help!

VAL GEHRISCH
Clairemont

. . . and pergola hard to believe

Regarding “Neighborhood wants to help city rebuild damaged pergola near Balboa Park” (Just Fix It, Oct. 3):

I was appalled to read that it would cost about $550,000 to build a pergola near Balboa Park. As a remodeler and project manager for more than 30 years in San Diego, I have people standing in line to build it for that price! A five-minute search on the Internet produced a cedar pergola 14 feet by 14 feet with 12-inch support posts and an arched roof for a whopping $5,999.99. Oh, and $10 to ship it. The supplier states it can be assembled in two hours. Accessories are also available. Assuming site preparation, installation, red tape and permits, the whole thing might cost $30,000. That leaves $320,000 of the current funds available for one whale of a dedication party! When do we start?

CHASE SNEAD
San Diego