letters.

Health-Care Injustice

"It is an injustice that someone can walk into an emergency room with a chronic illness and be denied treatment because they don't have insurance coverage ("Without a Net," 11/15/99). I believe that medical care should be similar to public schooling--provided by the government and paid for by taxpayers. As with schools, people who have the financial option should be able to choose a private practitioner to suit their medical needs. The United States needs to follow the example of other countries and make health care not just an option, but a public service.

ZACH POHOLEK Bayonet Point, Fla. In Defense of Microsoft

How can people say Judge Jackson found the facts ("Microsoft = Monopoly?" 12/13/99)? His facts are wrong! Without Bill Gates, we wouldn't have as much ingenuity. Can the government really put a cap on capitalism?

ROBERT ARSHONSKY Cincinnati, Ohio Teen Pressure Cooker

I read your article on "Japan's Teen Crime Wave" (11/15/99). Until two years ago, I lived in Japan and went to Japanese schools. The Japanese elementary school was not hard, but going to junior high was a change. There were lots of things causing me stress. I had to study hard, and went to juku, an evening cram school. I did not come home until 9 o'clock!

RYO HAJIKANO Acton, Mass. The unique trends and fashions that young people in Japan are displaying ("Tokyo's Cool Central," 11/15/99) fascinate me. The tradition of kids wearing dramatic makeup and designs made by themselves every Sunday is very cool. I wish we did something similar here in Connecticut.

ELAINE PICKUS West Hartford, Conn. Don't Forget the Now

"The American Century" (11/29/99) was great, but it should have had more stuff in it about things that are happening now. You could put President Bill Clinton's picture next to those of Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald...