Letters: May 29, 2006

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Essayist Caitlin Flanagan argued that "the Democratic Party is losing the housewife vote" [May 8]. As a Democrat and a churchgoing wife and full-time mother, I can relate to Flanagan's frustration. To me, Democrats stand for equality, compassion for the poor, concern for the environment and a host of other traditional moral values. But Republicans have made opposition to abortion and gay marriage the moral high ground, even as they start wars, torture prisoners, give to the rich, take from the poor and promote the death penalty. Until the Democrats embrace the traditional moral values inherent in their philosophy and shout them from the rooftops, the Republicans will continue to claim a monopoly on morality.

CATHERINE KOZLOWSKI Sterling Heights, Mich.

Flanagan sounds like a liberal snob with her nose twisted out of joint. As a widely published writer, she's hardly a classic stay-at-home mom. More likely, she is just irritated at the reaction her pieces have received from other liberal writers. But such polemicists do not constitute the soul of the Democratic Party. If Flanagan wants to become a Republican because she got her feelings hurt, she should try getting over herself.

DONAL JONES Decatur, Ga.

Maid for Marriage

The story "Wanted: New Roomaid" [May 1] reported that the latest fad in living arrangements has the man working full time while sharing a home with a woman who cooks and cleans in return for free rent, no sex involved. What's so new about that? It's called marriage.

ARNIE POLLINGER Holliston, Mass.