Different reasons to be scared

I wish to respond to some of the points made by Lou Pritchett in "President Obama: You scare me." I too am scared by many of the frightening things we are witnessing. While some of the programs being pushed by the Obama administration have scary components, I am much more apprehensive about the response of the vast number of Americans I see harboring hate propagated by the hatemongers Pritchett listed: the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Reillys and Becks. I might add their colleagues that populate Fox News. The scary component is how effective their efforts are at engendering hate throughout our country.

I further challenge Pritchett's assertion that Obama is going to "kill the American capitalist golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world." Not long ago I visited New Zealand, which boast an excellent government-run health care system. It is true New Zealand has a higher tax rate, but I saw not one substandard dwelling. Instead I found excellent dwellings, healthier people and, in general, a country with a higher standard of living than we enjoy.

I am making these points simply as a common man who tries to make objective observations and not a vice president of a large corporation. I am also frightened for my country, but not for the same reasons as Pritchett.

KEITH W. KIMMEL, Advance, Mo.