I am a retired person who has listened to political news on major TV news stations — CNN, MSNBC, Fox News — for many years. When McCain selected Sarah Palin for his running mate, I actually burst out laughing! I expect nine-tenths of the United States had never heard of her, nor had I.

There is no question that Barack Obama is the choice for America.

I would like to respond to the writer who believes that if you don’t vote for Barack Obama then you must be a racist (“Obama critiques conceal racism,” The Daily Progress, Sept. 18).

I’m tired of individuals (such as the author of “Obama critics conceal racism,” The Daily Progress, Sept. 18) suggesting that the majority of us don’t like Barack Obama because he’s black.

In a letter published Sept 18 (“Obama critiques conceal racism,” The Daily Progress), the writer argues that racism is the real reason so many people oppose Barack Obama for president.

I am responding to a letter to the editor that appeared in the Sept. 4 edition of The Daily Progress headlined “Obama lacking military fortitude.”

Could someone please explain to me why the government is able to afford hundreds of billions of dollars to finance wars or rescue greedy investors, but cannot afford a half a penny for education, health or social security? 

I recently read a letter to the editor concerning the respective qualities of the contestants in the current election campaign (“McCain-Palin the better ticket,” The Daily Progress, Sept. 19).

One critical change we need is entirely within the capacity of government to accomplish — with voters’ assistance, that is.

I have been dismayed by reports that white women are shifting support from Barack Obama to John McCain following McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin.

John McCain has earned the vote of every American who ever wore the uniform of our nation.

The current discussion over the Wall Street bailout has never answered two important questions: Why is the amount that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson asking for set at $700 billion, and how exactly is that amount of money supposed to help?

On Sept. 13, the annual 10K road race to support Special Olympics was held at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School.

Last month I attended the talent show for the Charlottesville Therapeutic Department held at Walker Lower Middle School.

Capitalism, with its freedoms, is the only successful alternative to a controlling big government.

Access to affordable health care is a right, not a privilege.

Virgil Goode is a man, and representative, of honor and experience.

Once upon a time, I thought that John McCain was a man to be admired. But I do not recognize the man that I see now.

The letter of Sept. 18, “Obama critiques conceal racism,” was the most offensive letter I have ever seen in The Daily Progress.

I love it! Now, if you do not support Sen. Barack Obama, you’re a racist.

Sen. Barack Obama’s economic plan does not raise taxes on the vast majority of Americans.

Politics. I hate the word. It has come to represent exaggeration, obfuscation and even falsification.

Sadly, we the people have been cheated out of our glorious and God-given heritage; led astray by an elitist few who, shamelessly and with reckless abandon, separated us from our heritage.

It’s very sad that the House of Representatives has passed a bill to allow more offshore drilling (“Goode votes against offshore drilling bill,” The Daily Progress, Sept. 18).

Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton.

I am writing in response to the letter to the editor titled “Obama critiques conceal racism” (The Daily Progress, Sept. 18).

The Republican Party seems to be out in left field this year, and this is shameful.

If not for the recent economic shocks being realized by every living person in America – unbridled inflation in the costs of education, health care, food, clothing, energy, travel and entertainment, accelerating evaporation of income earned and wealth accumulated by the working class – the current silly season of politics would be quite amusing.

How about cutting spending and holding off on the grand projects until the economy can afford it?

True democrats support their neighborhood associations and do not allow them to die from neglect.