What You Said About …

THE DEATH OF SUMMER VACATION

Our June 1 cover story by Jack Dickey prompted readers to share their own ideas about why fewer Americans are taking time off. Steven Gordon of San Antonio blamed a “corporate culture” that “cringes at the slightest hint of any of their staff even taking one minute or second for personal relaxation and personal pleasure.” Avery Gaskins of Morgantown, W.Va., was more specific: “Who killed summer vacations? The Koch brothers and their ilk.” Others stressed the importance of work holidays, arguing that summer vacations benefit both the employee and the employer. As Becky Kirby of Ravenna, Ohio, put it, “You cannot afford not to take a vacation.”

AMERICA VS. THE WORLD

TIME columnist Ian Bremmer isn’t the only one who thinks that the U.S. can help resolve issues abroad by fixing problems at home first (“What Does America Stand For?”). “How many young lives and American dollars were lost that could have instead been part of the building of a greater America?” asked Linda Maley of Phoenix. But addressing issues on the home front may be only “half of the equation,” said Craig McMicken of Florence, Ore. “The other half is to send Americans abroad to help build stable societies. Such as the Peace Corps.” At the end of the day, wrote Willie Dickerson of Snohomish, Wash., responsibility for change lies with citizens: “This all starts with the people asking their government for it with voices and votes.”

NOW ON TIME.COM

Thunderstorms starting on May 23 caused massive flash floods in Texas and Oklahoma, killing at least 19 people and inundating thousands of homes and facilities, including the Walmart parking lot in San Marcos, Texas (above). “People need to understand the power of this water,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “It can wipe you away very quickly.” For more coverage of the floods and their aftermath, visit time.com/us.

NOW ON TIME.COM

As part of our ongoing “Should I Eat This?” series, TIME’s Mandy Oaklander is polling nutrition experts on the benefits of popular beverages. Find these stories and more at time.com/eat.

SMOOTHIES

Experts approve, as long as they’re not packed with sugar

COCONUT WATER

Experts disapprove; it’s pricey and low in nutrients

RED WINE

Experts approve; it’s high in antioxidants

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