Letter of the day: Let's hope the Madoff case signals the end of an era of greed

The crime of Bernie Madoff is beyond comprehension. To steal the savings of thousands of people, to destroy their financial condition, and to spend the resources on glamour and greed are beyond redemption. And to damage the operations of so many charities and philanthropic endeavors is a heinous act. He, along with the greedy criminals from Enron, Tyco, and other companies will help to define the first decade of the 21st century as one of lies, deceit, and fraud. Whether the war in Iraq, or the greed at home, a relatively few people have terribly affected the lives of millions. We can only hope there will be better times ahead in the next decade. A wounded world is in need of better role models and more socially committed individuals. ROBERT SHUMER, EAGAN