After reading a second Susan Reimer column denigrating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, I just had to write ("Hard to choose sides in the Mommy Wars," Sept. 8).

Ever since the introduction of Mrs. Palin as Sen. John McCain's running mate, it has become painfully obvious to me that Ms. Reimer and many other liberal women in the media really aren't for women's rights unless the woman in question is a liberal women.

What they don't understand is what people see in Mrs. Palin - a real person, a woman who is obviously intelligent and accomplished and freely admits she is able to do all she does with the help of her husband and extended family.

Diane Dye, Perry Hall

The "Mommy Wars" are still being waged 35 years after I bought my mom a pin that said "All Mothers Are Working Mothers." And like Susan Reimer, I have had times when I thought I was doing my jobs working in and away from the home equally badly.

Decisions about how to raise your children are very personal ones for which both parents share equal responsibility. Unfortunately, many American women do not have a choice about whether to work outside the home.

Even with both parents working, too many Americans are facing foreclosures or are unable to fill their tanks or heat their homes.

It's time for debates about the real issues affecting the future of every American family.

Janet Bush Handy, Bel Air

Since Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's nomination to be vice president, there has been a national debate regarding whether she should be running.

Many people argue that as a mother of five, the youngest of whom is an infant with Down syndrome, she should be home at their side.

As a mother of a son who was challenged with visual impairment, severe developmental delay and autism, I agree that it can be overwhelming and fully consuming to provide for a special-needs child. I can also state that my other "normal" children also required much attention for their specific needs.

As a professional, I did feel the need to cut back my work schedule to provide for them all adequately. However, I would not have felt this need if my husband had a job with more flexible hours so that he could have stepped in at a moment's notice, if we had extended family nearby I could rely on to help, and if it were easier to plow through the system and get useful aid.

The real issue here is that there are not enough effective programs and caretakers for special-needs children. And the situation is even worse for them when they transition to the adult world.

Our government has provided only bare-bones help for families.

The citizens of our country deserve better services, no matter who is elected.

Meanwhile, this election should be about the individual candidates' ability to sift through the myriad issues facing our country and its people.

Tangents about whether someone is a good mother (or father) are distracting.

Karen Rigamonti, Baltimore

The writer is former chairwoman of the Maryland Special Education State Advisory Committee.