I have a comment on the article "Failing grades up" (Sunday, July 27, 2008). I'm a senior this year at Timpanogos High School. I work 30 hours a week. I am tired a lot, play video games, watch media, go to church, and still have time to study and pass my classes with at least B's or higher as well as get my two-year associate degree from UVU.

Your recent article on property taxes not dropping significantly in Utah County was misleading and out of character with the kind of journalism we expect. Suggesting existing home sales may reflect little change in home prices does not take into account the short sales and outright foreclosures in the county.

Public schools shouldn't operate vending machines

Since when does the legislative branch of government have the moral right to bail out people and banks who made unwise choices in buying a home and borrowing money for it? And why should the tax burden be put on the backs of the American taxpayer? It is not right.

I'd like to add a comment to the letter explaining that people ought not expect the government to solve our problem of dirty produce. I wash my produce with water and soap because they were grown in dirt, near farms with animals and then they were picked by people who have to use port-a-potties in the fields! I don't wash produce like I would my hands, putting soap directly on them. I fill a bowl with lukewarm water and swish in a bit of soap and then add the produce. Works great! It supposedly gets rid of some pesticides too. Alternatively I sometimes wash my produce in a lemon juice and salt bath.

Another reason we need to do everything in our power to keep any Democrat out of the White House is the risk of what will likely change at the United Nations with leftist support from the U.S.

The July 6 article by Charles Piller and Doug Smith did a great disservice to all charities by painting a misleading and incomplete picture of charitable fundraising. By focusing on telemarketing, which generally constitutes a de minimus part of a nonprofit's fundraising activities, the article left the impression that any organization engaged in this practice is not providing a good return on its members' contributions.

Don't build bridge