Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Opportunity, not a guarantee

The Spokesman-Review

The United States has flourished for 200-plus years as a bastion of freedom and opportunity for those who want to be free to achieve and excel at any endeavor that they choose.

The reward for that ambition and energy is the possibility of success and prosperity for any individual without regard to their race, religion, sex or circumstance. Some will achieve more than others through chance, innate ability and perseverance. We make our own future and opportunity. That is the beauty of our form of governance.

Mr. Brookbank (Letters, Jan. 12) or anyone else “deserves” nothing more than the right to succeed and flourish through the fruits of his labor and the opportunities provided by this great nation.

If Mr. Brookbank is so committed to the socialist cause, then I would recommend that he seek residency in some country that has a long record of socialism.

Perhaps North Korea, Cuba, China or, if he wants to get in on the ground floor of a nascent socialist country, I would suggest Venezuela.

Hugo Chavez would welcome him with open arms.

Robert Allen McKinney

Valleyford

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-5098

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy