This is in response to a letter from Joyce Rhody asking, “Who are the ’liars and cheats’?”

When in high school, at least half the kids cheated on a regular basis.

Today my daughter, who is in high school, says things are about the same, if not worse.

A class in ethics may be needed, although the kids would end up cheating their way to A’s and B’s.

The corruption in our finances/government is a direct reflection of our country’s moral dilemna — to cheat or not to cheat?

One more thing. Al Batt is the one who first criticized the problem of “cheating kids” in his article. You may have been too busy laughing to notice.

And this: Your interpretation that my letter was a personal attack upon Mr. Batt is false. His approach to issues is quite different than mine, and so he and I can differ on that. In fact, I agree with most of what Mr. Batt says.

This forum should be to debate ideas and policy, which I attempted to do in my letter, though quite different than Mr. Batt’s approach which seems to trivialize important issues.

Your attempt to personalize the issues is typical of others I debate on this forum.

Realism appears negative to those who live in delusionary bubbles. It’s all a matter of perspective. I am totally aware of the goodness of this country. It is these sacred values which are under attack by the greedy, the ignorant, the complacent. My approach in defending these values is apparently quite different than others. With ebbing ethics and morals this country is falling into the trap others have set for us.

Vigilant we must be. Or evil will devour our every hope.

Patrick Cunningham

Twin Lakes