The recent letter critical of the foreclosure settlement ("Settlement leaves out responsible homeowners," Feb. 15) made me sad. Does the writer really think that just because he acted responsibly — paid his taxes, never refinanced, and was current on his mortgage and association fees — that he should be rewarded with a onetime tax deduction? Isn't that just what one would be expected to do? What are we coming to when we think that it is extraordinary to do the right thing?

There will be some who will receive settlement money that they don't deserve, but that happens in an imperfect world. Let the government money go to those who truly believed that they could afford the houses they bought and were misled by unscrupulous lenders. The writer is caught in a bad situation but sounds like he has the wherewithal to have made an informed decision.

I really am very sorry that he must take a loss. No one likes that. But I am happy that he sounds as though he won't have to sleep in his car!

Kay Michaelis, Ellicott City