G.I. Guarantee Watch: Please, Mr. Postman . . .

by David Safier

For most of my life, my mail took 2 or 3 days to make it into someone else's mailbox. And if that other person was moved to reply, it usually took a few days for pen to meet paper, and another few days for a reply to find its way into my hands.

And then there was email. And I got used to almost instant communication gratification.

Unfortunately, I'm carrying on a mail-carrier conversation with Starlee Rhoades of the Goldwater Institute, and I sent her a letter Saturday. I have no idea if she tossed the letter, or she's still formulating a reply, or her return missive is winging its way to my expectant mailbox and will arrive any day now.

It's so hard to wait.

All I'm hoping for is a simple answer to a simple question: What does "many" mean in her sentence:

"We believe the term bureaucrat accurately describes many of the employees in question and is a fair use of the term."

Does "many" mean, as it usually does, less than 50%? Usually people use "most" when they describe more than 50% of something. Are bus drivers, maintenance workers and food service workers among the "many" who can be accurately described as bureaucrats?

I sure hope Rhoades answers my question. And she should, because she really seemed pleased to hear that I challenged Matthew Ladner's assertion that there is "an almost 1-to-1 teacher to bureaucrat ratio." Here are the first words of her letter:

"We appreciate your enthusiasm for spirited public discussion . . ."

If that wasn't encouragement enough, here's how she ended the letter:

"We appreciate your active interest in our research and look forward to continued dialogue."

A few definitions: Continued: "Without stop or interruption." Dialogue: "An exchange of ideas or opinions."

So I'm optimistic that Ms. Rhoades will continue to engage in this spirited public dialogue.

"Please Mr. Postman. C'mon, deliver the letter, the sooner the better." (Originally by the Marvelettes, 1961, if you're interested)