Dear Mark: The recent uproar over building a mosque near ground zero is raising the issue of whether America is a tolerant country. I believe we're pretty nice folks here in the United States. Is this really the issue? — Mountain Man in Montana

Dear Mountain: Ah, the mosque at ground zero — the columnists' gift that keeps on giving. The mosque episode was flying well under the radar until Barack Obama opened his presidential yapper. If I didn't know better, I'd think he intentionally did this in order to deflect attention from his horrible economy. Many in the media and pundits on the left are once again taking an opportunity to bash those on the right as bigoted and Islamaphobic. Remember, if you want a secure border, you're anti-Hispanic; and if you disagree with President Obama, you're a racist.

Dictionary.com defines tolerance as a fair, objective and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.

There are over 1,200 mosques in the United States with over 100 mosques in New York City. By these numbers alone, Americans have met the definition of tolerance. My uncle is fond of saying, "Believe what you see." Well, look around America — Muslims exist throughout our country peacefully and pretty much unmolested. We go to Muslim physicians, we patronize Muslim-owned businesses, and Muslims live throughout our neighborhoods. Maybe Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow should take a road trip outside of Washington to visit real America. Although those three might encounter some intolerance of a different kind.

Dear Mark: Vice President Joe Biden has been on the administration's "Recovery Summer" tour and promoting the success of the Recovery Act. The Congressional Budget Office has produced a report that shows the president's stimulus package has in fact created or saved 3.3 million jobs. I agree with the VP when he said, "No doubt we're moving in the right direction." How can you possibly dispute this? — Go Joe in Soho

Dear Go Joe: As I mentioned in the previous letter, believe what you see. Existing home sales for July just hit a 15 year low, while new home sales reached an all-time low. Unemployment remains high, and first-time unemployment claims continue to hover around 500,000 per week. The U.S. has a record-breaking national debt with trillion-dollar budget deficits predicted for the next 10 years. Maybe this is the "right direction" the administration "hoped" for.

Let's have some fun and say the 3.3 million created or saved figure is accurate. With the $800 billion stimulus package that comes to $242,000 per job created or saved. With that kind of government efficiency, no wonder Obama's approval rating is down to 40 percent.

In other news, while Biden was bragging about the supposedly robust economy, President Obama was in Martha's Vineyard burying his head in the sand.

Dear Mark: I just read in Politico that major Democrats are worried about losing control of the House this November. I would love nothing more than to see Nancy Pelosi carrying her junk in a cardboard box, walking down the hall to her new office. Is it possible? — Dreams of Dem Defeat in Detroit

Dear Dreams: Not only is it possible, but according to recent polls, highly likely. It seems that Pelosi and company are suffering their own "housing" crisis and the Obama "Recovery Summer" is finally hurting every citizen in America.

Dear Mark is a public platform for your enrichment and entertainment. E-mail your questions to [email protected]. To find out more about Mark Levy, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.