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Health care insurers usually raise their rates in the fall -- but not this fall. They want to see what Congress does with so-called health care reform, so they'll know better whether to triple the rates, or just double them. Cut out this comment, paste it in your checkbook, and then brace yourself for the crash. -- Ernest Irby, Henrico

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I saw a TV ad by Sen. Mark Warner endorsing the Democratic candidate for governor by recommending the continuation of his economic policies while he was governor. He was a good governor, but not in economics. He was the governor who told us we had a terrible deficit and pushed for a huge increase in taxes. But before the higher taxes went into effect, he admitted the Old Dominion actually had a surplus. His fiscally irresponsible leadership does not move this independent to vote for his candidate. We need a change from the tax-and-spend philosophies of Warner and his latest protégé, Creigh Deeds.

-- August Morris, Henrico

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A recent front-page headline read: "Obama Administration Decides the Taliban Can't Be Eliminated Regardless of the Number of Troops Sent Into Battle." How about that? Since they already knew that we couldn't eliminate the cockroach, it should have been apparent that the Taliban could not be eliminated, either.

-- Billy J. Braughton, Henrico

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Recently, it was reported that thousands of passwords were stolen from Microsoft. If anyone thinks personal medical information won't be stolen once the government-mandated computerization is completed, he is living in a dream world.

-- G. A. Pelfrey, Colonial Heights

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The only reason President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is because he isn't George W. Bush. The whole world is breathing a sigh of relief.

-- Mike Gilletto, Henrico

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The president and Congress are trying to find funding for the health insurance program. If they just put an eighth-of-a-cent tax on the stock market for every share traded, within 10 years they would have the whole thing paid for.

-- Carter Tuck, Richmond

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I would sure like to know how President Barack Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize. He was inaugurated on Jan. 20 and nominations for the award were due at the beginning of February. He was in office all of 12 days. Most who get the Nobel have dedicated entire lives to peace. He did it in less than two weeks? I don't think so.

-- Bob Reigner, Henrico

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With all the recent flooding, why is NASA looking for more water? Why can't its knowledge and resources be applied to projects that will stop job losses and foreclosures? The money saved could also pay for health care rather than a storehouse of knowledge. Why not close NASA and reopen the rest stops on our highways?

-- Juanita Davis, Richmond

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I wonder how the liberal Democrats would have reacted if Sarah Palin had received the Nobel Prize in literature for her new book, Going Rogue?

-- Jim Seay, Henrico

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With all the people who have had their credit cards stolen, it should be mandatory for every place of business to ask for photo identification.

-- Iris Peace, Sandston