Can you do something about the fact that, when I go into a New York restaurant, there’s no diet pop except Coke? And that the stores — even really big ones — have like three kinds of deodorant and three kinds of toothpaste?

Honestly, I think that this great land of ingenuity — which, from sea to shining sea, should explode with innovation, and teem with diverse products — can seem almost Soviet in its choices . . .

P.S. I know, I know, foreigners from all over marvel at the abundance of our stores, and the variety within them. But still . . . Is there some law that says we can’t have more than two brands of ketchup? A major one (Heinz) and a minor one (Hunt’s)?

P.P.S. I know: Ketchup, of whatever brand, is way déclassé. But, gosh, is it born for fries, and burgers.