Inbox

China's Triumph
I enjoyed reading your cover story on "China's Moment" [Sept. 28]. It's easy to conclude that, in China, free-market principles have proved once again their superiority by looking at the speed and scale of the country's development once liberalizing reforms were made. It's also worth asking how much China's unique authoritarian politics contribute to its impressive and highly competitive economic efficiency. Could this growth model continue for the next 60 years?
Timothy Yin,
Shanghai

Let's all be honest about this: China's long overdue development, whilst in many ways impressive, has primarily been underwritten by profit-driven Western corporations. Corporations have moved to manufacture in China en masse because of very cheap labour, minimal regulation and the ability to externalize other costs, namely the environmental impact. This has then indirectly improved China's lot. How has China otherwise added value or changed the world for the better in modern times? Innovations? Improvements to the human condition? Global benevolence? Becoming the world's temporary sweatshop and biggest copycat does not place one in the league of great nations or ensure superpower status. So, on turning 60 what is going to be your real contribution to the world, China? Spare us another goose-stepping parade, please.
Marcus Blackie,
Perth, Australia

That's Not Entertainment
Running a major story on Glenn Beck is the equivalent of giving a terrorist publicity for setting off a bomb [Sept. 28]. Beck is a charlatan: he has made himself rich off people's fears without making the slightest constructive comment about national issues. Instead, he has spread innuendo to keep his audience happy. He's a TV evangelist who makes altar calls and then drives away in his Cadillac.
Alan Moen,
Entiat, Wash., U.S.

Beck is inquisitive and interesting. His broadcasts offer his opinion, and I choose whether to investigate his ideas or not. He doesn't regurgitate the morning news. Bill Maher's gibes are too personally directed, while Beck is adorable, even when I disagree with him. Is profitability not a concern for TIME, Newsweek or Oprah? Politicians clearly despise middle-class Americans who dare to question them. Should we trust Washington more? Please recognize the real story of Beck's fans: we're everyday working people concerned about the future of our country, and we don't like censorship.
Melissa Odom,
Milton, Fla., U.S.

David Von Drehle's profile highlighted some of what sets Beck outside the realm of fact-based, civil political discourse — notably his statement that the President has a "deep-seated hatred of white people." That statement is part of a consistent pattern of race-baiting by Beck. This summer, ColorofChange.org began asking advertisers to stop supporting Beck's TV show because our members are concerned about the way he stokes racial paranoia and fear with inflammatory rhetoric that's not based in fact. Dozens of companies listened and pulled their ads. It's clear that much of corporate America already knows the answer to the question your article poses. Indeed, Glenn Beck is bad for America.
James Rucker, Executive Director, ColorofChange.org,
San Francisco

Deanna Frankowski, the Beck fan mentioned in your article, is "sick and tired of being ignored"? Give me a break! I had to wait through eight years of an Administration that brought this country to the brink. Frankowski should sit down quietly while the rest of us get to the task of cleaning up Bush's mess. Besides, this health-care debate isn't about those over 30; it's about the millions of uninsured, recently graduated young people saddled with loans we can't imagine paying off, who are sick and tired of living in an abyss created by our elders' stupidity. Obama would be smart to focus on college towns. Step aside, Grandma. We want health care, and we want it now.
Agnieszka Marczak,
Lincoln, R.I., U.S.