I've only read 1/2 of the reader responses, but so far I haven't seen one mention of childcare expenses! We have 2 young children and both of us work fulltime. We paid almost $30K in childcare expenses last year (if one of us stayed home and didn't work, we'd have even less). It's by far our biggest expense, and one that can't be reduced (expensive city, no family in the area, etc). Yes, it was our choice to have 2 children. However, other countries do provide various childcare options and subsidies, and it's really almost impossible for people in our situation to create savings (even cutting out all restaurants, social life, clothes, etc). If you are single or childless, I can see how the advice in these letters might help. But talk to a working parent - the choices are much more limited. I'm hoping our next president can at least address some mild debate about the state of childcare in the US.

The total delegates include super delegates, so no, it doesn't add up to 100% in the candidates columns.

... that I'm glad I have no investments.

I too have been disturbed by the sexist comments, violent comments, etc. lobbed at Hillary Clinton. That's separate from my decision about who to vote for. Having a discussion about it is not the same as telling you to vote for Hillary, or saying that if you're a woman you have to vote for her. Many Salon readers seem to confuse the two when critiquing Joan.

We have gone into debt pay for childcare for our 2 children, with both of us working fulltime (which will get better when they are in public school), and this is an issue which seems to get so little attention compared to the moralizing about proper parenting. Both of us would feel more complete as people if we had a few more choices, financially.

Why attacking Salon and its editors (which these posters obviously enjoy) - and other sorts of in-fighting - is *possibly* going to help us win back the White House in the Fall?

I don't have money to travel, but I live in New York City and spend every weekend in a different neighborhood (via the subway), and feel like I'm seeing the world, too. It's enough for now.

My monthly co-op maintenence fee includes real estate taxes (which are shared, with the other owners), and also includes water, heat, etc, so the high maintenence fee in a co-op is actually a pretty good deal considering we don't pay separately for all of those other things.

I have *never* wanted a house. I love my apartment (noisy neighbors and all). I never have to mow the lawn, worry about a new roof (shared expense), and I live 3 blocks from the subway so don't even own a car. Heaven (yes, even with 2 small kids squeezed into the space).

You would think that all of the hype over Revered Wright would have convinced some of these people that he is a Christian - right? I mean, because he has a Reverend? Or do the people who believe these rumors think that he belongs to an Islamic church?

I can't help it.

If McCain subconsciously doesn't believe he's going to win (as this quote indicates) maybe he'll only fight half-heartedly for the job.

When democrats at the fringe start name-calling and labeling the party "betrayers" and "neo republicans" just for practising politics (as in some of these letters), I think it's a good sign that the party could make an even bigger comeback. They're obviously doing what it takes to get ahead, and poll numbers are reflecting that.

When I saw those flags waving among the 200,000 watching Obama this hardened cynic nearly cried. Thank god for this reaction. It's what we need, no matter what you think of his politics.

The more snarky comments I hear from Republicans about how Obama is some sort of reincarnation of the Lord, the more desperate they seem. Is that really all you guys can come up with to complain about?

My mother-in-law, a retiree in suburban PA (in a red county) was recently invited to the "mansion" of a "millionaire" who claims to have never supported a political candidate in his life, for an Obama meet-up. She said there were 5-6 Obama staffers there, volunteers who had taken time away from their jobs and their families, and he was putting them all up in his house and guest house. She said it was so well-organized, it just blew her away. Plus she was able to connect with a few other like-minded people in her area. Just an anecdote.

Does anyone but me think that the quote (even out of context) just isn't that bad? I mean, he said that he's a symbol of what people want from America - how horrible is that? Yes, I know the damage that the talking heads can do, and obviously this plays into the theme they are trying to shape, but the actual statement is hardly offensive.

My friends and I often complain about money. We live in an expensive city and are always aware of the vast amounts of money that surround us. We live in smaller places and have less stuff than other people. We never go anywhere. Tonight I'm going to go home and hug my kids and be grateful.

That the Republicans don't live up to the family values that they preach about to everyone else... who would have thought???