Your 2 Cents

Why is it that most Americans are having a tough time making ends meet when there is so much money floating around Washington? We have czars, new planes, and everyone in Washington is taking trips. Yet, the poor working American is sending his hard-earned money to pay for these players to cavort around. Those officials are entertaining someone every day -- but they criticize those who hold tea parties to voice their opinions on President Obama and Congress. We need to stand up for ourselves, since others are trying to walk over us by taking our money. When the next election comes up, pull the handle for the person that is opposing the current officeholder. A new broom sweeps clean.

-- Dale McClure, Henrico

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I noticed in the latest jobs report that while private sector jobs are still decreasing, there was a 7,000 increase in government jobs. I wonder how many jobs for bureaucrats will be created if Congress passes any of these poorly thought-out health care proposals? And are the bureaucratic costs even included in the $900 billion to $2.5 trillion figures being bandied about?

-- Kathleen Harrow, Richmond

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The Peoples Republic of China recently executed another businessman. He was convicted of bribery and embezzlement. In the Chinese economic and legal systems, a bullet through the head is justice served for those found guilty of economic malfeasance -- including personal insolvency. Clearly, the Chinese government takes its capitalism seriously. This is the regime from which our elected leaders and appointed czars recklessly borrow trillions of dollars to fund their politically motivated schemes, phony bailouts, and big-government control programs. What justice awaits us, our children, and grandchildren should we default on debts owed to our Chinese creditors?

-- Mike Heatley, Richmond

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I'm delighted President Obama is urging those who created the health care mess to stop talking. This means those who created HIPAA, hog-tied physicians with Medicare and Medicaid, and have floated more than one plan to tax health insurance premiums paid for by my employer will now fall silent while those who have been afflicted by the mess will solve the problem. I look forward to the halls of Congress growing silent!

-- Donald D. Denton, Ashland

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The Republican Party is not persuading mobs of people to protest President Obama's health care plan. The GOP cannot even persuade mobs of people to vote Republican.

-- Jim Seay, Henrico

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It's a shame that Sen. Jim Webb decided to take a two-week vacation trip to Southeast Asia instead of staying home to listen to his constituents talk about health care. We voted him into office and we can un-elect him next time. We can have term limits -- just not against every incumbent every time.

-- David Hubbard, Henrico

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Paul Woody had an excellent column on the obscene salaries paid to college football coaches. It is equally disgusting how some fans adulate coaches over academic professors.

-- Thomas Earles, Culpeper

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Perhaps citizens could better understand Gov. Tim Kaine's many trips out of the commonwealth on behalf of the DNC if he were to take a portion of the funds he raises and pay down some of the budget shortfall. I am certain that the employees who have lost or will lose their jobs would be appreciative. Motorists (tourists) driving the interstates would be thankful if they were able to take advantage of reopened rest areas.

-- Bob Smith, Amelia