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When is President Obama going to appoint a VP czar? This person could accompany Vice President Biden on speaking engagements and -- after he is finished, explain to us what Biden meant to say.

-- Harold W. Fleenor, Richmond

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That great American philosopher, Yogi Berra, must have had our government's current energy policy in mind when he observed, "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is." The theory is that some day, alternative energy sources will be discovered and developed. But in practice, until that happens, we are all driving petroleum-powered vehicles. If we could somehow require all politicians who oppose oil exploration in the U. S. to drive wind-powered or solar cars, we'd be drilling for oil before sundown.

-- Walt Manz, Midlothian

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Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner both voted against requiring e-verify for any jobs created with our billions of stimulus dollars. Not only have they both consistently failed to protect the Constitution, they apparently have little support for American workers. Look out for their votes on cap-and-trade and socialized medicine. Their inability to cross party lines and failure to respond to what the majority of Virginians want is very apparent in all of their votes. They are not listening to those who they represent!

-- Rick Mandarino, Powhatan

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President Zelaya of Honduras flaunted the constitution, ignored the Supreme Court's ruling, defied his own Congress numerous times, and attacked a military base. Our own President Obama supports him. Could he have something in mind for the future?

-- St. Clair Smith, Ebony

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President Obama stated during his ABC News commercial that the terminally ill or old might receive pain medication for comfort instead of costly medical treatments or surgeries that may only prolong life for a short time. Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Kennedy, who is writing Obama's health care plan and has terminal brain cancer, is pursuing the very treatments that will be denied the rest of us. Unequal universal health care for all means there should be no universal health care at all.

-- J. Howard Humphreys, Richmond

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We've now had two Democratic governors in a row. They gave us the largest tax increase in our history (yet the commonwealth has no money); they failed to fund our transportation needs; apparently our computer (IT) network is a mess; and our employment picture is bleak (even the governor has gotten an additional part-time job). Looks like we need some Republican leadership in the governor's position now.

-- Robert George, Glen Allen

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It's apparent to me that our "transparent" administration, with its economic stimulus package, has delivered a change as promised during the presidential campaign. Unemployment has risen to almost 10 percent. Now, that's what I call a change.

-- Charles Elam, Richmond

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Our commonwealth needs to find the money to keep the rest areas open. Highway safety will take a beating if they are closed. Truck drivers will have to deal with finding a proper location to sleep. Motorists will be tested when getting off at busy, unfamiliar interchanges and then finding their way back onto the interstate. Closing them will be a huge mistake.

-- Walter Douglas, Henrico

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Everyone keeps leveling ethics charges against Sarah Palin. She's been exonerated on everything that's been thrown at her. Why don't we start going after Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd, Nancy Pelosi -- all of them? Let's see how long they can dodge ethics charges. I'm sick and tired of the news media dodging the facts and creating fiction. It's ridiculous -- and time for Americans to wake up and take back our country.

-- Andrew Peck, Chesterfield

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Where is our sense of values? The loss of life of a single soldier in any war is far more important to the safety and welfare of this country than all the pop stars in the world. Michael Jackson was an excellent entertainer, but the furor created by TV and radio over his death is absolutely ridiculous.

-- Robert Coates, Henrico