One of the most highly regarded economists from the Reagan years was former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker. He was one of the key players in setting the stage for prosperity during that era. Volcker, a Democrat, got his start during the Kennedy Administration.

In his book, “Target America,” James L. Tyson provides an analysis on how Lenin developed important laws of revolutionary propaganda.  One of the tenets was to “Divide our friends and enemies into clear cut groups…”

Obama is not the first viable black candidate for president. He’s the first biracial candidate! When it comes to character, it was not Obama who left his injured wife. 

Keeping in mind the stellar military career of Gen. Colin Powell, I have enormous respect for his contribution to the United States military, but I have misgivings about, as one reader put it, General Powell’s “penetrating understandings” of why Barack Obama is more suited to be president.

We have all heard about someone who accidentally slid their automobile into a ditch and overcorrected by jerking the steering wheel too far to the left, with disastrous results. The correct action is to move the wheel slightly to the left; but unless one thinks about it, instinct is to jerk hard to the left.
This is a fitting analogy to this presidential election. Our economy is clearly in a ditch.

The main headline in the Oct. 13 Washington Post read “Obama up by 10 points as McCain favorability ratings fall.”

On Sept. 27, Sen. Barack Obama held a rally in Fredericksburg that was, as far as I know, open to anybody who wanted to attend. Three weeks later, Sen. John McCain held a rally in Woodbridge. According to this newspaper, one had to somehow obtain a ticket to attend.

Del. Jeff Frederick serves admirably as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. I have always supported him because of his hard work on behalf of his constituents. I recently read a letter submitted to the editor, an editorial and a column in the News & Messenger that do not accurately describe the Frederick I know.

“I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle class Americans who most need tax relief.”
These words from Sen. John McCain in May of 2001 were made in opposition to the Bush tax cuts.

This is in response to Ruth Michaud’s comment on Oct. 17, “However, I was under the impression that the newspaper’s purposes was not to promote their own bias, but to report the news.” This is an old myth.

While everyone is battling, there are those who will not vote. They will either assume that the other side has already won, (That’s what they want you to think) or they figure their side has won, so why bother?

Del. Jeff Frederick serves two masters and his constituents suffer for it. In his new political job as chairman of the Virginia Republican Party he tried to make the case that Barack Obama is a terrorist, loves terrorist or some such weak link during his pep talk to some young volunteers.

People should know all of the facts before voting. Elect experience and not inexperience! Unlike Gerry Connolly, Keith Fimian is not a career politician.

Sen. John McCain alleges that Sen. Barack Obama is unqualified to become president because he is a “socialist” who “wants to spread the wealth around.” For decades, the Republican Party implicitly has claimed to be the party of God. Let’s examine the Judaeo-Christian texts to determine how God views this subject of redistribution of wealth.

A couple weeks ago a gentlemen knocked on my door to introduce himself as a candidate for the House of Delegates.

Last Saturday I voted for Sen. Barack Obama for president. I voted for Obama because I feel he has the right stuff to get this country out of the numerous messes it’s in.  From the war to the economy to energy policy, I see Obama as the solution and not the problem.

Barack Obama has been attacked recently for being a socialist. We need to first define what a socialist is and then determine whether Obama fits that definition.

Despite the recent story about John McCain’s visit to Prince William County, your one-sided coverage of the 2008 presidential election has been stale and tiresome.

I am a 15-year-old boy who is a resident of Virginia. I am very concerned with the gas prices, because I will very soon be driving.

Why do the polls report an increasing majority of the people support Barack Obama? The reason is simple. People are choosing Obama over McCain because they too have observed the same factors Colin Powell recently cited for his endorsement of Obama. 

An individual in Centreville feels strongly that William Ayers does not matter.

What did Sarah Palin mean when she told the heckler that her son was fighting in Iraq for his freedom to speak?

As 24-year residents of the 10th Congressional District, we are writing this letter because we are concerned that the newer residents of the district may be misled by Judy Feder’s campaign ads. These
folks may not realize the good works Rep. Frank Wolf has accomplished in Congress.

A letter to the editor in your Sunday paper titled ‘Writer is worried for U.S.’ offered several detailed suppositions basically accusing Barack Obama of being a Middle Eastern international terrorist!

John Steinbach’s Oct. 18 letter assaulting my character is nothing more than an attempt to discourage, through character assassination, legitimate public debate and community involvement on the issue
of illegal immigration.

I would like to take exception to a statement made by Gary Jacobsen in his column, “Get your affairs in order.”

This political campaign is comparable to “mud wrestling.” Except, mud wrestling” is cleaner.  Never have I seen a campaign as mean, cruel and ugly.

We need Keith Fimian in Congress. Vote Keith on Nov. 4th.You will be glad you did.

In letter printed on Oct. 20, Peter del Cano states that he fears “…we have a wolf in sheep’s clothing running for president.” He is writing in reference to a statement Barack Obama made in Powder Springs, Georgia on July 8, where Obama stated, “You should be thinking about, how can your child become bilingual? We should have every child speaking more than one language.”

I realize the battle to keep reporter’s personal opinions out of the news columns was lost long ago, but have we also lost the oversight provided by editors?