The following responds to a letter from Phyllis Miller (“Fix the Problem,” 10/17).            

Dear Ms. Miller:                             

I’m not sure I consider myself a left-of-center American, but I am an American, and your recent letter caught my attention. I just wanted you to know that I am not embarrassed by, nor do I feel I have to defend or make excuses for, our president. In fact, when I heard him speak for the first time at the 2008 Democratic Convention, I told my husband I thought he could help our country regain the respect of other countries in the world. I still feel that way.                                       

Of course, I support your right to disagree with my political opinions. However, I do not understand many of the references you made in your letter and what they have to do with political platforms. You make reference to the fact that the president plays basketball and golf. I’m not sure what you’re trying to say.                                                             

You also mention the name “Barry,” which may be referring to the president. Again, I do not understand what this name has to do with the state of our nation. You use the word “choo-choo” in reference to the vice president. I get the feeling you are attempting to establish a cynical tone – is that it?                                                                                                         

My husband, who teaches at the local high school, has mentioned how the quality of school lunches has improved this year. I believe this may have something to do with the policies endorsed by First Lady Michelle Obama (I am not on a first name basis, as you are). Again, I do not understand your suggestion that she “should go have a greasy hamburger with fries on the side.” What am I supposed to make of this?                                      

Ms. Miller, if you had complained about the national debt using facts and figures, I could have told you that under President Reagan the debt doubled. I could have said that under the last Bush, it almost doubled again. But under Barack Obama, the percentage of the economy attributed to national debt has fallen.                                                                   

If you had complained about taxes, I could have told you that Mitt Romney’s plan is not specific, but very sketchy and that Bush’s adviser, Karl Rove, once said that national debts don’t matter.           

I could have mentioned that noted economists do not understand how the debt can be lowered without raising taxes for those who can afford to have them raised.                                    

But Ms. Miller, you didn’t mention those points. You chose to mock. Our country’s future is too important for this type of banter. I do agree with you that all of us should vote in this very important election. We should check facts for ourselves and not accept media or party hype. And you’re also correct when you say the quality of life for all of the citizens of our country depends upon this vote.                                       

Cynthia Inman Graham                                                                                                            

Manahawkin