I would much rather read about someone who is trying to move the country forward, instead of an Arianna Huffington or Ann Coulter, both of whom have an irrational hate of opposing points of view.
Matthew Garrott, Avon Lake, Ohio

Dear Editor:
The authors miss the entire scope of philanthropic planning for the client question in November’s Scenario Planning. Can they be reading Worth, with its frequent articles on this topic? The implementation of several entrepreneurial philanthropic strategies—e.g., charitable lead and remainder trusts—could be structured to meet Rachel’s family planning goals while simultaneously avoiding significant gift, income and estate taxes.

In fact, the right strategies could zero out any and all transfer taxes. To satisfy the estate tax obligation, philanthropy can be a much more attractive alternative than the traditional method of paying expensive (and unnecessary) insurance premiums. I can’t believe that someone of Rachel’s position would not have three or four favorite charities that she supports from her annual income and that would do even more using her exceptional asset base if they were offered the option and the information. Comprehensive planning, at a minimum, should at least include philanthropic entrepreneurship as a viable option in the overall process.
Tom Bashwiner
Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust, Vancouver, Wash.

Dear Editor:
I just finished reading the article about sibling rivalry (Advisors’ Forum, November 2007), and, coming from a family with a family business and watching how people acted both in the generation before me and in mine, I thought the responses to the question were practical, but not realistic.

In reality, if you are working at a family business you have been given an opportunity other people don’t have handed to them. Now, I know a lot of people work very hard in the business, but the fact is that there are opportunities that are available to them. The writer of the question seemed to overlook this fact. In addition, I imagine very few parents will pay their children unevenly based on job titles—possibly experience, but not titles. What someone needs to tell the person who asked the question is: 1) Make sure you are receiving the market rate for your job; 2) Stop comparing yourself to anyone else and just do your job—otherwise, go work in the open market and compare how fair it is out there.
Rachele Field, via email

Dear Editor:
I have been subscribing to Worth for some time. I enjoy the topics and articles, and try to absorb and use the information. However, your monthly "10 Questions for Your Private Banker" puzzles me. You give us 10 questions to ask and not a clue as to how they are to be answered—or what the correct answer is.

I would prefer a discussion on each topic and then together we could have solutions or answers. Please change this item to something of "worth."
M.Y. Wilson, Las Vegas