2. When will these upper-crust intellectuals realize that the masses of working people are not in cozy, cushy, interesting, challenging, well-paying jobs, professions and businesses? My husband is now 51; for most of the last 33 years he has worked in the same factory job, and only the thought of retiring at 62 has sustained him. When he reaches that age in 11 years, who will tell him that his aging and physically wracked body must keep going another two years? My heart cries out for all the poor souls who man the assembly lines, ride the trucks or work in the fi elds or mines, or in the poorly ventilated, hot-in-summer, cold-in-winter factories and garages. Many cannot aff ord to retire at 62, 65, or even later. Never, never let them extend the retirement age.

It’s a matter of survival to so many. Most of the following selections were taken from letters to the editors of newspapers and magazines. Identify any fallacies that may be committed, giving a brief explanation for your answer. Th en, if a fallacy is identifi ed, discuss the possible factors that led the arguer to commit the fallacy.

(Isabel Fierman)