Your 2 Cents

-- Some partisans feel such an implacable rage at the outgoing administration that they behave like infants with soiled diapers. In attempting to achieve catharsis, they angrily blame every global, national, regional, and local problem on President George W. Bush. -- Rick Provost, Midlothian

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Our advanced thinkers of today tell us that we must believe that no one is more important than anyone else. It is not democratic. We explain the past without mentioning important events and individuals but in terms of the new holy trinity of today's obsession of race, gender, and class. No wonder today's youth have no idea of our nation's history. -- Ken C. Slater, Chesterfield

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Alas, no Bill Richardson as commerce secretary come Jan. 20. He had to fall on his sword over a phony New Mexico pay-for-play scandal during his governorship. I wonder who will wipe the Clinton fingerprints off the sword before President-elect Barack Obama's internal CSI staff investigation exonerates everybody involved? The Democratic fratricide continues. -- Bob Visco, Mechanicsville

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By most accounts, the New Year's Eve event in Carytown was a huge success. There were some who complained that the city was a cheapskate for charging $2 to attend the event. To those I say, look in the mirror when you say cheapskate. -- James R. Flinn, Richmond

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Now that Gov. Tim Kaine will be working part-time as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, he will have less time to think of ways to raise our taxes. -- Steve Burton, Glen Allen

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My new year's resolution is not to do business with a company that is receiving a bailout. The problem is our dedication is so short-lived that we are easily side-tracked. Take, for example, my local YMCA. All of a sudden, the workout facility is full. In just a few short months, the resolutions will be broken, and once again it is proven that we talk . . . but we don't walk the walk. That is the fundamental issue with our country. -- Ron J. Melancon, Glen Allen

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I am rubbing my eyes to be sure that I have not misread anything about Gov. Tim Kaine's proposals for the 2009 General Assembly session. On the one hand, he is proposing a doubling of the cigarette tax to raise revenue. On the other hand, he is proposing banning smoking in restaurants, which would lead to decreased cigarette tax revenues. Wow! I guess that is the privilege that comes with being a politician, speaking out of both sides of his mouth. -- Max Maizels, Richmond

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Someone please fire Gov. Tim Kaine. Now he wants to ban smoking? Does he not know that Philip Morris is the only reason there is an old Virginia? A Virginia at all? Open R.J. Reynolds, American Tobacco . . . that will create thousands of jobs and bring open industry and profits to us. Let's ban gangs, single parenthood, importing, political raises and spending, rewards for the worthless, the lottery, illegal immigration, greed of politicians and corporate heads. For those of us who don't drink and do drugs, let's smoke to celebrate the departure of all Kaines. -- Allen Walton, Cartersville

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How much more can the taxpayers stand? The government of this country takes 70 percent of real and hidden taxes from every dollar that changes hands. Figure all taxes, federal, state, city, and anything else they can tax, and see what you come up with. How much more do they want? All your money in taxes? -- Phillip Powers, Henrico