The 1950s was probably the best decade of the century for the hourly-wage earner. How many hours a week did John Callaway (”Voice of Reason,” June 28) work to earn only $9? In 1956 I was 12 years old and made in excess of $20 just on weekends. His humble story should be circa 1936, not 1956.
NICHOLAS MORTIER, Calumet City
Reality check
I heartily agree with the writer of ”Mything in Action” (July 5) that today`s society is longing for spiritual experience to make sense of our existence, but mythology offers no permanent answer. Perhaps some fleeting moments of serenity and escape in our oft-times crazy world, but as Peggy Lee`s old song put it, ”Is that all there is?”
Certainly symbolism and ritual make life richer; Christmas trees and Greek mythology fascinate most of us. ”Beauty and the Beast” and ”Star Wars” are all-time movie favorites of mine-one can hardly escape the spiritual message in these tales. But when William Ecenbarger, quoting Rollo May, tells us that ”Americans are confused, depressed, violent and suicidal because they have lost the mystical forms that once gave life meaning,” he is stretching the truth. What gives life meaning is knowing the truth of who we are. We are creatures, and God is creator. There`s a vast different in between. Many Americans are experiencing the above-mentioned dark realities because they have forgotten the difference.
DOLLY FIFE, Palatine
A recent article on myths contained the following Joseph Campbell quote:
”The universal triumph of the secular state has thrown all religious organizations into such a definitely secondary, and finally, ineffectual position that religious pantomime is hardly more today than a sanctimonious exercise for Sunday morning, whereas business ethics and patriotism stand for the remainder of the week.”
It has become standard left-wing academic methodology to attack traditional American values, including religion, by calling them myths. Ironically, the leftist professors then create myths of their own. Several such myths are found in the quote above.
A secular state and a religious society are not mutually exclusive concepts. This country has always been a secular state; it has also been a very religious nation.
Also, the notion that business ethics are incompatible with religious ethics is nothing more than tired pseudo-Marxist dogma. Likewise, patriotism or love of country is not irreconcilable with religion. These are, of course, values that leftists despise. They are also the values that are winning favor all over the globe.
God, country and free-market economics are no myths; rather, they are eternal truths that will remain long after the memory of Joseph Campbell and his myth-believing ilk have passed from memory.
SCOTT LARSON, De Kalb
Nanny track
The April 26 article on ”The Nanny Dilemma” has just reached me, and I felt I must comment that not one mother in the article mentioned the responsibility of the nanny to educate her children. Considering a nanny is on duty for 50-60 hours five days a week (most of the waking time of the children), she has a responsibility to provide them with physical and emotional stimulation.
It is up to parents to demand caregivers who are trained in early childhood development and family interaction. Until this happens, agencies will continue to place inappropriately prepared caregivers who through lack of training often give up and leave a profession they may have enjoyed with proper preparation. We are losing many good potential nannies this way. Fortunately, more women are entering the field as long-term professionals of whom American can be very proud.
SHEILAGH G. ROTH
Executive Director
English Nanny & Governess School, Inc.
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
