What a great idea: “…I see no other way than to seize control of the Iraq oil reserves to save the American way of life as well as the world.” (Monday letter, “U.S. needs to take control of Iraq’s oil.”) That is all we need to do is to take control of a sovereign nation’s natural resources … that should sit well with the Iraqi government, 80 percent of which are Shia — the same party that controls Iran — thanks to G.W. Bush.

Then, when we are attacked again we can blame it on “the terrorists hate our freedom!” and not our foreign policy. If people seriously believe the world would end if the way of life changed in the U.S., we need a national health care plan that includes extensive mental health benefits. And if people think we will “save” America by stealing control of Iraq’s oil one question remains: What happens when Iraq’s oil runs out? I guess the whole world comes to an end, huh? What unmitigated arrogance.

By the way, the reason small businesses are not very successful in this country is two-fold. 1) Most small business owners couldn’t run a lemonade stand at a profit. 2) The tax breaks and tax loopholes given to big corporations, by the Republicans, render small businesses ineffective in the market place. Don’t believe it? Look at how many small businesses close once a Wal-Mart comes to town.

It was people just like the letter writer who tried to convince us that the Iraq war would result in lower gas prices. Remember Rupert Murdoch saying this war would result in $20 barrels of oil? Now the same ilk is screaming, in the same high-pitched whine, that we must control Iraqi oil, while they keep driving their SUVs. Good God, when will people learn?

Kevin Wruck