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To the Editors:

Ronald Reagan will win a second term because he has a positive view of the U.S. [NATION, Aug. 27] and Walter Mondale has a negative perspective. Mondale sees a nation that needs a handout, Reagan a country that is strong and building itself even stronger economically, militarily and morally.

Ralph Craig Amherst, Mass.

Reagan has given us middle-income Americans what we so desperately needed, a stable economy and renewed pride in our country.

Linda Gateley Jacksonville, Texas

It does not really matter whether Reagan spends six or 16 hours a day at his Oval Office desk. It has been said that the role of the leader is to inspire hope. And the President does that wherever he is.

Gail Funaro Cerritos, Calif.

So now we have the coronation of a king blessed by the churches. I thought we got rid of that tradition during the American Revolution.

Morgan Thomas Naples, Fla.

I loved your Technicolor cover of our current leading man and his understudy. You could have called it "Reagan & Bush II."

Leila Schueler Augusta, Ga.

The article about the vital role Michael Deaver plays in Reagan's life makes me wonder. Do the American people realize they are voting for Deaver and Nancy to run the country?

Ruth Clark New York City

Ronald Reagan advocates less Washington intervention in our lives, yet he believes that the Government should legislate our attitudes on morality and religion. Never have I felt my rights as an individual so threatened.

Heather A. Graf Norton, Mass.

Mondale should challenge Reagan to a debate without notes, cue cards, TelePrompTers or Nancy Reagan.

Harold Williams Long Beach, Calif.

Your attempt to portray Reagan as a bumbling, inept "twinkly uncle" insults our intelligence.

Marilyn Hodes Leawood, Kans.

To say that "macho Mexican-American men may resist the prospect of a female Vice President" is utterly ridiculous. That is stereotyping of the worst kind.

Frank M. Garza Corpus Christi, Texas

De Lorean Verdict

By finding John De Lorean not guilty [NATION, Aug. 27], the jury let it be known that even in 1984, Americans do not want Big Brother watching them.

Ellen Barson Hamden, Conn.

No matter how deceptive the FBI methods may have been, the fact remains: if De Lorean were a man of integrity, he would have said "Halt" the moment he realized the suitcase contained cocaine.

Roy E. Aycock Norfolk

To acquit De Lorean is to emphasize that drugs are accepted by our society.

Joyce Munro Encinitas, Calif.

In your otherwise excellent coverage of the De Lorean trial, you failed to mention how much the Government's malfeasance in this case will cost the long-suffering U.S. taxpayer.

Henry Kirkpatrick Templeton, Calif.

Total expenses have not been tabulated, but the trial alone cost over $1 million.

Spoken in Jest

I cannot get too excited about President Reagan's off-the-record comment about bombing the Soviet Union [PRESS, Aug. 27]. What I am excited about is the fact that Reporter Ann Devroy and the Gannett News Service went ahead and printed the remark, knowing the seriousness of their action and knowing it was made in jest.

Art Johnston Naples, Fla.

The remark may have been ill advised. Nevertheless, even the dullest-witted reporter would have known that it was a joke and its publication could only create mischief.

Mary N. Hughes San Benito, Texas

My wife and I were traveling in the Soviet Union when the bombing joke occurred. Tensions were high in the wake of the Leningrad incident, in which a U.S. serviceman was roughed up, and became appreciably higher after the President's remark. Had we been harmed, I would have held Devroy responsible, not Reagan.

Robert H. Wilbee Las Cruces, N. Mex.

The remark by Reagan reveals the mentality behind his policies.

Bernard A. Nachbahr Baltimore

"Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, 'I am only joking!' " Proverbs 26:18-19.

The Rev. Frank S. Deming Jr. Fort Morgan, Colo.

What would our reaction be if Konstantin Chernenko displayed a similar "sense of humor"?

K. Robert Wilheim New York City

Flawed Forecasts

As an economic consultant for the past 38 years, I am appalled at the damage my peers have done with their erroneous predictions [ECONOMY & BUSINESS, Aug. 27]. The blame must lie with the schools of business administration and their brash M.B.A.s. Their ardent embrace of econometrics and the computer has caused them to abandon the philosophical concepts of economics. Business schools should re-examine their precepts before the dismal science disappears.

Joseph B. Ward Seattle

If our economy were based on the free market at work, then economists could predict the future with a high degree of accuracy. But with the Federal Government's increasing influence in the private sector, the economist finds himself in the role of the middle linebacker trying to guess which play the quarterback (Paul Volcker) is going to run next. Under these conditions, 50% accuracy is not bad.

William H. Derbins Metairie, La.

Meteorologists now forecast rain in terms of percentages instead of committing themselves one way or another. They have thus rid themselves of much ridicule and greatly improved their public image. Economists should do the same.

David E. Russell Jacksonville, Fla.

Take-Charge Treasurer

Katherine Ortega's role as Treasurer of the U.S. is much more than "largely honorific" [NATION, Aug. 20]. Ortega, the G.O.P. keynote speaker, is responsible for three major agencies within the Department of the Treasury: the U.S. Savings Bonds Division, the Bureau of Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. She supervises more than 5,000 employees and manages a budget of some $280 million. Under her supervision, holdings of U.S. savings bonds have risen nearly 11%, to well over $73 billion. Ortega is a decisive, take-charge leader.

James R. Wynn, Director of Sales U.S. Savings Bond Division Department of the Treasury Washington, D.C.

Vacation Escape

Charles Krauthammer's article "Holiday: Living on a Return Ticket" [ESSAY, Aug. 27) is a sad commentary on our society. If we were not so self-indulgent and hedonistic, we would not be in need of vacations on which people immerse themselves in drugs, participate in wars or make moral judgments on other societies. A trip to the beach would probably suffice.

Helen W. Joffe Hamilton, Ohio

Las Vegas Ladies

I was both delighted and dismayed by Jane O'Reilly's portrait of a Las Vegas ladies' room [AMERICAN SCENE, Aug. 27]. The article was candid, catty and refreshingly re-enacted. However, the sanctity of the powder room has now been violated.

Amy E. Miller St. Robert, Mo.

Thanks for the laughs. The performance in the Las Vegas ladies' rooms is better than some of the shows.

Marilyn Small Boulder City, Nev.

Olympics' Last Mile

I felt proud when I read George Plimpton's account of the Haitian marathon runner Dieudonne Lamothe, who came in last [SPORT, Aug. 27]. As a Haitian, I am accustomed to reading only bad reports about my people. Lamothe at least finished the race, which more than a quarter of the runners failed to do. After all, the point of the Games is to participate.

Fritz J. Nau New York City