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America's Health Report

As a college student planning to enter the health-care field, I applaud "America's Health Checkup" [Dec. 1]. It's about time we started putting responsibility back into the hands of the individual when it comes to our health. We've gotten into the habit of being reactive instead of proactive, living unhealthy lifestyles and relying on medicine to cure all our ailments. Emphasizing prevention through healthy eating, physical activity and regular checkups is the best approach to take if the U.S. wants to truly fix its health crisis. Sarah Grafelman, KIRKSVILLE, MO.

Your examination of health care talked about everything but the core truth about the American medical industry: There is more money to be made from a sick populace than a healthy one. Joe Dunlop, SNELLVILLE, GA.

I used to be among the 67% of Americans who are overweight. At 5 ft. 2 in. and 265 lb., I took my health in hand by putting myself on a diet and exercising and lost 140 lb. in about a year. I went from a size 26 to a size 4 and stabilized my cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar at normal levels. My message is this: I did it on my own, and so can you. You don't need a lot of money, special food or special equipment. All you need is determination. Keri Kegley, LITTLE ELM, TEXAS

What's Next for the GOP

Ramesh Ponnuru makes many valid points in his analysis of the abject failure of the Republican Party in the 2008 elections [Dec. 1]. Yet I would like to suggest an extremely obvious reason: the abysmal record of the Bush Administration. With George W. Bush gone, Republicans will return, after a period of reflection, as a viable force in the U.S. In the meantime, Barack Obama has a great deal of work to do to repair the damage done by our worst President. Bill Gottdenker, MOUNTAINSIDE, N.J.

Ponnuru suggests that dejected republicans can revitalize their party by paying attention to the middle class, addressing global warming, making health care affordable and promoting assimilation rather than xenophobia. He proposes, in other words, that Republicans become Democrats or at least move to the center, with an eye toward the 2012 elections. I think the GOP should shoot for 2020. It will take at least that long, probably longer, for Americans to forget the miserable incompetence of the past eight years. Tom Davis, SEATTLE

Ponnuru's party has been repudiated because Americans have finally realized that Republicans have long gone out of their way to take money from the poor and give it to the rich through tax breaks, deregulation and Executive Orders. Some Republicans shouldn't be worried about reforming the party; they should be worried about staying out of jail. Guy Falcone, REDWOOD CITY, CALIF.

Is New Energy a Breeze?

I thought I had come to a typo in your article "Got Wind?" when I read about the Michigander who spent $16,000 to get a wind turbine that "can generate 1.5 kilowatts ... enough to power the average lightbulb for 15 hours" [Dec. 1]. And that, he admits, is on a day with "decent wind." A few nuclear plants can power more lightbulbs than that, and you don't have to sit around waiting for a breeze. Americans need to look at how France is getting nearly 80% of its electricity. Stephanie Gutmann, PIERMONT, N.Y.

Dude, Don't Knock the Book