Letters

(4 of 5)
Re the eulogy of Batman's Bob Kane by Stan Lee, whom you describe as "creator of Spider-Man" [NOTEBOOK, Nov. 16]: Spider-Man's existence needed a visual, concrete entity. It was a collaboration of writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko as co-creators. STEVE DITKO New York City

THE BUSH FORMULA

The brightest midterm election result for Republicans was Texas Governor George Bush's big win [ELECTION REPORT, Nov. 16]. His social moderation and outreach to minorities, if only embraced by a stunned G.O.P. now wedded to the religious right, could lead to the big prize in Y2K. His election would then establish Clinton's place in history: a tainted twig between two Bushes. FRANCIS S. ANDREWS Lincoln, Mass.

THE WRESTLER AS GOVERNOR

Your article on wrestler Jesse Ventura's election as Governor of Minnesota [ELECTION REPORT, Nov. 16] made me question what goes through people's minds when they vote. Has politics become so corrupt that a man with hardly any position on political issues can run for office and stand a chance of winning? EILEEN KELLY Bethpage, N.Y.

Ventura has energized this state. Not only did he bring out a lot of young people to vote, he has also inspired the rest of the population as well--at least those who are fed up with "politics as usual." And no attention has been given nationally to his running mate, Mae Schunk, a white-haired elementary school teacher. She is 64 years old and Ventura's point person on education. What a combo! DOREEN B. RENTZ St. Paul, Minn.

We voted for Ventura because he best represents us, the average working person on the street. Sure, at first we all chuckled a bit upon hearing he was running. But he won us over quickly with his honesty, intelligence and true loyalty to the people of this state. Politicians have a lot to learn from Ventura. DIANE SALISBURY Apple Valley, Minn.

I could only dream of a Jesse Ventura in my state. The politicians I get to choose from are either Bible-thumping Republicans hell-bent on a theocracy or Democrats who want to solve everybody's problems with my tax dollars. A Libertarian couldn't get anybody's attention here if he were to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater. I wish those scientists would start cloning this guy--and soon. JOHN F. SCHULLER Morrow, Ga.

I am 35 and have never even registered to vote. Then I read in TIME what was going on in Minnesota. For the first time in my life, I tuned in to election results, and cheered all the way for Jesse Ventura! I do believe I will now register to vote, as I am confident that this is an indication of things to come. I want to be prepared to vote for the first real American who comes along in Illinois. JIM ENGELMAN Champaign, Ill.

Our governor-elect Ventura will give new meaning to the term "political arm twisting" when he takes office. DICK BARAK Coon Rapids, Minn.

CORRECTION

In the third installment of our series on corporate welfare [SPECIAL REPORT, Nov. 23], TIME reported the price of raw sugar as $22 a pound. It is 22[cents] a pound.

FOCUS ON CORPORATE WELFARE