I need to tell Rex Rhoades how much I have appreciated his columns since the election.

I don’t think I have ever been so concerned about the state of our nation and of the direction we are moving in. I am not worried about myself. My life is great. Social Security will be there for me when I am ready to retire, and I feel quite certain that I will not be drafted to fight an immoral war.

I will probably not be too affected by the coming shortage of oil and the impending energy crisis. I am making enough money, and have made enough money, that I don’t have to worry about working at a minimum-wage job that has not kept up with the rate of inflation.

I am very healthy and have access to good quality health care so I don’t have to worry about my health care.

It’s my children, my grandchildren, and the future of my country that I am worried about.

I am worried about fundamentalism in America. I am worried about our cowboy mentality and our lack of concern about anybody except ourselves.

Besides the Sun Journal, I read the New Yorker, Atlantic and Harper’s. I’m afraid that more people get their information from the National Enquirer, Soap Opera Digest and People magazine. Americans aren’t paying attention. That worries me.

I thank Mr. Rhoades for addressing my concerns in his columns. Again, Sunday, Nov, 28, he has it exactly right.

Joe Sirois, Rumford