Regarding “The American dream as nightmare” (Community Essay, Dialog, Aug. 10):

P.M. Brown's story underscores that the greatest tragedy of the housing boom was not the inevitable crash, but rather what it did to warp everyone's perception of normal and the American dream. I applaud Brown for putting 30 percent ($200,000) down on the home; few put that much down anymore. However, basic arithmetic tells us that the initial cost of the home was more than $666,000. Most of us single-income renters were wise enough to see the payments on that loan for what it was, unaffordable. Affordable at zero percent down? Affordable at flexible rate? Affordable at 30-year fixed? Affordable at 50-year fixed? No, No, No and No.

Write us ... and here's how To encourage community dialogue on important public matters, The San Diego Union-Tribune welcomes letters to the editor. Space is limited, so we offer these tips and policy guidelines: Please be aware that lengthy letters reduce chances for publication. Our suggested maximum length is 200 words. To allow as many letter writers as possible to be published, it is the policy of the newspaper to publish no more than one letter from the same author within 30 days. Letters should be exclusive to the Union-Tribune. “Open letters” and submissions sent originally to individuals, agencies or other media outlets will not be considered for publication. We prefer letters that reference items published in the Union-Tribune within the past month. Letters may be edited for space, grammar, clarity or other reasons. It is our policy to publish letters supporting or opposing a particular issue in a ratio reflecting the number received on each side. All letters considered for publication will be verified for authenticity. Letters must include a full name, address, daytime phone number and, if faxed or mailed, be signed. E-mail submissions are preferred and can be sent to letters@uniontrib.com. Letters can be mailed to Letters Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191, or faxed to (619) 260-5081. Letters submitted may be used in print or in digital form in any publication or service authorized by the Union-Tribune Publishing Co.

Since when did a home of that much principle become the working person's American dream? Only 15 years ago, San Diego was a bunch of modest houses for an average of $250,000. I know that absent a depression we will never see prices like that again in San Diego, but today's average price still greatly exceeds inflation on those prices and true demand. That means even with all the tragic foreclosures, property speculation is still the controlling element for the “value” of homes in San Diego. If you are overextended and can no longer make the payments on your American dream, do the responsible thing and sell your home for a price that only looses your equity, and get back to renting. Save your credit and help the market get normalized before it is too late.

CHARLES GRISWOLD
San Diego

Fact-based at ESPN, close-minded at MSNBC

Regarding Editorial Board member Chris Reed's blog item on Keith Olbermann (Dialog, Aug. 10):

Keith Olbermann should have stuck to a career as a ESPN sportscaster where he was a high-profile statistics-obsessed analyst. Whatever intrigued him to get into political commentaries that are to the far left of center is anyone's guess. His mind is closed to nuclear power expansion, charter schools and a myriad of subjects that require a high degree of objectivity before conclusions can be drawn. His disdain for Hillary Clinton in her quest to become the Democratic Party's nominee for the presidency was obvious. In contrast, credit must be given to Fox News' commentator Bill O'Reilly, whose interview with Clinton was commendable for its fairness and evenhandedness.

JACK POMEROY
Escondido

Old solutions no longer apply

The Union-Tribune on July 28 addressed trivial presidential qualifications on several fronts: Political science professor Casey Dominguez (“What VP choices might tell voters,” Opinion) thought the VP selection was important; columnist David S. Broder (“Can they manage the White House?” Opinion) thought the Senate was lousy experience; columnist Jim Hoagland (“Viewing U.S. election from overseas,” Opinion) thought it important that while Europeans liked Barack Obama as anti-Bush, Asia didn't, and that being a prisoner of war was good experience.

I submit that the conventional wisdom, and what used to be considered good experience, is meaningless, because the old solutions won't work to solve global warming, the energy and water crises; the rise of China, India and the rest; and the demise of the American empire.

The question should be, who can best restore respect for the Constitution, the separation of powers and restore honesty to government? Who can fix the economy, the health care crisis, the justice system, the dysfunctional political and tax systems, and how would they pay for all this? Who can eliminate the half-trillion-dollar deficit and the nearly $10 trillion national debt the winner inherits? And most important, who is the most intelligent and best able to deal with problems never seen before?

JERRY BRULE
Spring Valley

Emission rules seen hurting port jobs

Regarding “State sets emission rules for ships” (A1, July 25):

The California Air Resources Board, by mandating more expensive, cleaner-burning fuel, will accelerate the loss of business and high-paying port jobs in California. The ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego will sacrifice cargo and tanker business as it moves to more competitive Baja, especially the new port at Punta Colonet. Northern California shipping activity will migrate to Vancouver, and the expanding port at Prince Rupert, B.C. Unless everyone plays by the same rules, lower costs trump good intentions in our global economy.

BRUCE OJA
Oceanside

Port's commitment on bridge lighting

Regarding “Turn lights out on bridge project” (Letters, Aug. 15):

The reader mischaracterizes the San Diego Unified Port District's participation in the San Diego-Coronado Bride lighting project, implying that the district is considering spending $2 million to $3 million on the project. The Port District has no such thought in mind. In fact, we have made clear that our financial participation is limited to $50,000 primarily to fund three $15,000 stipends for the three finalist teams. This $50,000, taken in the context of our other community and regional community programs, including the district's own Public Art Program, is well within reason.

The board, in reaching a decision to support this vision for the bridge, was informed that there was significant other public interest and finances available to carry the project to fruition, and that many members of the public wanted to establish an iconic presence on our bay, befitting America's Finest City. They held up examples of such iconic structures elsewhere, such as the San Francisco Bay Bridge, the Sidney Opera House, Singapore Lion and the Eiffel Tower, to name a few. The Board of Port Commissioners, exercising our duty to provide a balance of maritime commerce, recreational opportunities and environmental stewardship, responded to the challenge in a measured and supportive manner.

We are confident that local institutions will come forward to take a leadership and financial role in achieving this vision. This is exactly what the board hoped to engender with its modest and timely commitment.

MICHAEL B. BIXLER
Chairman
San Diego Unified Port District