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It has been reported that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid insinuated that President Obama had the ability to speak a "Negro dialect" if he wanted one. If this is politically correct, why is he apologizing? Because it is a racial put-down! Reid should resign his leadership and retire at the end of his term.

-- Joseph W. A. Childress, Palmyra

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The government has redefined "check and balance" in taxpayer parlance: We tell you the current balance of the national debt -- and you write a check.

-- Al Schalow, Midlothian

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To the Virginia legislators: Please increase the gas tax and fix the roads! I am tired of repairing my vehicles and will gladly pay the increased tax with the money I save on car repairs. I will spend less time at the auto repair shop and come out ahead in the end.

-- Alda Moore, Richmond

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Congress will now run our country's health care system. Let's review its current systems: Medicare -- going broke; Medicaid -- sucking cash out of states' coffers; VA hospitals -- underfunded in supporting our returning troops and military veterans. I know I'll sleep better knowing Congress is dictating my health care. It has such a stellar record of managing things.

-- R. Wayne Barber, Sandston

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No Virginian should be surprised that President Obama is reneging on his campaign pledge to provide a new transparency and openness in government. Why should he stick to his promise -- that was documented at least eight times -- to have every bit of the health care bill negotiations televised on C-SPAN? Why should he carry out his promise to let the American people know their interests were represented instead of those of the pharmaceutical industry? Obama is steeped in the traditions of former Democratic Govs. Mark Warner, Gerald Baliles, and Tim Kaine, all of whom unabashedly promised not to raise taxes during their campaigns. Not only did they all get away with their lies, they were handsomely rewarded in their post-gubernatorial lives.

-- Max Maizels, Richmond

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Where is our old friend Al Gore when we need him? Baby, it's cold outside! Brrrr.

-- Herman Birdsong, Powhatan

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During the past four years, there is one thing we can say about our departing governor: He never missed the chance for a photo op.

-- Mike Giletto, Henrico

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The nation is waiting anxiously to see when the next beer summit will be held -- between President Obama and Sen. Harry Reid.

-- Ken Slater, Chesterfield

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Why -- with 16 federal agencies in the intelligence community and more than $49 billion in the budget -- can they not protect our borders from illegal immigrants, terrorists, or illegal drugs?

-- Ernest Gregory, Richmond

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It's nice to know that even if President Obama loses in the next election, he can still get a job serving coffee to Bill Clinton.

-- Jim Seay, Henrico

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More than $23,000 spent on one City of Richmond office for interior decorating. Nice timing with the budget shortfalls, Mayor Jones.

-- Rick Parker, Henrico

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In regard to all the security concerns: 9/11 was more than eight years ago and now we're acting like it's just beginning. What happened to all that money we spent and those changes we made in security? It's like nothing has happened.

-- Bob Reigner, Henrico