Mitt, the means is the end. The way you get there is what will determine what you get when you arrive. No one can serve both God and money. Your early conditioning has warped your priorities. A values clarification is definitely in order. Both Hitler and Mussolini intended to improve the human race. They were not stupid men, but they were extremely ignorant. Please stop the lies and manipulation. They will not make you happier. Happiness will come along only with honesty, complete honesty.

Kudos to former Mesa police sergeant Bill Richardson for exposing corruption in Tempe. He appears to be an honest man who needs all of our continued support. Guys like this don’t grow on trees. Kudos also to the Tribune for giving him a wide berth in this regard.

“Rather ironic to hear Pope Benedict XVI condemning the commercialism of Christmas wearing a ruby encrusted, 18-karat gold bullion thread embroidered mitered hat and surrounded by solid 18-karat gold crosses, three-inch candlesticks and a diamond-encrusted solid gold chalice that was so heavy that he could barely lift it up. Maybe we all need to “see through the superficial glitter” this Christmas and through out the year.”

My informal survey tells me that Joe Arpaio supporters have a mean education that is truly lacking.

Have they no shame? Republicans are vehemently anti-tax, right? AP journalist Charles Babington reports Republican support for allowing a tax cut to expire. On the rich, you ask? Hardly. On payroll taxes. On the working man.

Excellent guest commentary by Mike McClellan ("Don't worry so much about kids' happiness", Aug. 12). As a behavioral health therapist, I see the prolific damage caused from spoiling our kids. Children having children keeps our planet right where it is and has been. The ability to do difficult things creates high self esteem and leaders who know who they are. Now that's love.

D.J. Diebold, in his weekly letter last Friday, begins with a pithy observance, that "the measure of an enlightened society is how they care for the less fortunate and the most vulnerable." He then gets off-track and starts to rant about the state government and his topic for the week.

The measure of an enlightened society is how they care for the less fortunate and the most vulnerable. After all, what is the alternative?

How uncaring can you get and still remain human? The unemployed are witnessing unprecedented inhumanity at the hands of our extremist, right-wing Legislature.

Joe Arpaio is once again asleep at the wheel. Three of his employees are also "employed" by the drug cartels. Whoa. Can things get any worse in the sheriff's office? This is the result of years of poor priorities and the resulting knowledge that the sheriff isn't paying the slightest bit of attention.

General Electric pays no tax on over $6 billion in earnings for 2010. Don't be surprised, it's been that way for a long, long time. So, who pays most the taxes to support our government functions?

Wednesday's Vent "contributor" criticized myself, Jon Beydler and Michael Moore for what they called, "so much bull" in one edition of the Tribune.

Sunday’s guest commentary by Tom Patterson reeked of the same old Republican, right-wing blather. Gov. Brewer finally showed some common sense and vetoed bills that had no business being law. She showed a bit of independent, critical thinking. Maybe she’s not the lock-step-child of Russell Pearce... maybe.

I support the request by Maricopa Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox for the Sheriff’s office to go into receivership — $99 million is much more than an accounting error; it’s gross malfeasance.

Is it me, or have things finally calmed down out there? The bomb-throwing seemingly has abated. Having thrown one or two myself, a bit of regret remains.

Dear Sheriff Joe: What did you know, when did you know it? The stonewalling continues, as do the raids on landscapers and restaurants.

Sunday’s letter from Bill Frankenberg made me nauseous. He thanks Russell Pearce for not being afraid to “stand up.” It’s what he stands for that disgusts fair-minded people.

I won't thank our legislative thugs for being forced to do what any humanoid with an ounce of sense would naturally do.

“Sarah Palin says that she is now an expert on illegal immigration because she says that she can see Mexico from her daughters’ kitchen window at her house in Maricopa.”

So, what is the difference between supporting the Second Amendment and being considered a “gun-nut”? Our state legislature has continually loosened gun laws, such as dropping the restrictions on carrying a concealed weapon.

As a Vietnam era veteran, I hear the big-mouth, gun-nuts spewing immature hero-complex bile. Real combat vets know the debilitating effects of violence, sometimes lasting for generations. It’s what post-traumatic stress does.

The letter by 60 Valley executives to Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce, demanding an end to the over-the-top focus on illegal immigration, is a triumph of pragmatism over racial prejudice and mean-spirited arrogance. How much pummeling can Arizona’s reputation take?

Should the Legislature spend $1.4 million for life saving transplants, or $5 million for Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu? Gourmet coffee is indeed expensive.

Excellent Tribune piece Sunday by Garin Groff. Extremist overreaching by Russell Pearce, Kirk Adams and the "Tea Party Legislature" WILL be dealt with by rational moderates next election.