LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CONTINUED: Deeds Appreciates State’s Rich Diversity

Deeds Appreciates State's Rich Diversity
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Creigh Deeds should be our next governor. Currently representing the 25th District in the State Senate, Deeds appreciates the rich diversity of our state. Many times he has emphasized to rural constituents the importance of Northern Virginia's economy to the rest of the state -- in terms of generating tax dollars for schools, transportation, and the protection of natural resources, including farmland -- issues that unify all Virginians.

While I am a Democrat, I support candidates who work across party lines to accomplish results for the entire state. Deeds is supported by an impressive group of moderate Republicans, including former State Sens. John Chichester of Stafford, Brandon Bell of Roanoke, Russ Potts of Winchester, Warren Barry of Fairfax, and Marty Williams of Newport News, as well as former Dels. Jim Dillard from Northern Virginia and Panny Rhodes of Richmond.

Chichester was Senate majority leader for many years and served as the Senate's conscience of fiscal conservatism, uniting persons from both parties to deal with difficult budgets. Williams served as chair of the Senate's Transportation Committee and Potts served with the Senate Education and Health Committee. These moderate Republicans all worked with Deeds; they know he will create practical solutions in terms of financing schools and transportation and protecting our natural resources.

In this difficult economic time, we need a problem-solver like Deeds who can unite people rather than divide them. I hope Virginians will choose Deeds at the polls.

Katherine E. Slaughter.
Charlottesville.

McDonnell brings a proven record of experience and achievement to the gubernatorial contest that demonstrates to Virginia voters that he is more than capable of delivering on his commitment to transform the commonwealth's economy. He is a proven executive leader who has served his nation in uniform, created jobs in the private sector, and served as one of Virginia's most productive and accomplished attorneys general.

The next governor will need to make difficult decisions within days of being sworn in, and he won't have time to learn how to manage a large organization. McDonnell will be prepared to confront the commonwealth's economic challenges on day one. Virginia needs Bob McDonnell.

Theodore C. Brown Jr.
Richmond.

It's not just one party and it's not just Joe Morrissey we will see on the ballot.

Gage has worked for years in the business world and owns his own business, so he is sensitive to the frustrations, challenges, and concerns of the owners of small businesses. He is concerned for the needs of all of the 74th District's constituents and is determined to find creative ways to multiply our resources and solutions, without adding to Virginia taxes.

Regardless of party affiliation, I encourage all 74th District voters to seriously consider their vote.

Catherine Harding Hendrickson.
Glen Allen.

It is clear that he knows who among us is intolerant. He first gives us examples of who we should consider to be intolerant, and then he admonishes us to "visit the Web sites of the self-proclaimed 'politically non-partisan' agents of intolerance, see who they favor, and vote for the candidates who oppose them."

I wonder if he would counsel rejection of a candidate who spoke of "typical white people," or of people who "cling to their guns and religion," or whose spiritual leader damns his country and spouts anti-Semitism from the pulpit. It would depend, I suppose, on Siegel's preconceived notions -- and his personal tolerances. Siegel's letter is not about tolerance, it is a clear call to the politically faithful -- his political faith, of course.

Norton Rubenstein.
Richmond.

Why is it that the distinguished congressmen and -women on Capitol Hill feel that it is so important to deny a few billion dollars to their senior citizen constituents? Is it so that these scoundrels can continue to pour their largesse on their buddies at Goldman Sachs and AIG instead? Or is it finally true that we now have the finest Congress that money can buy? What will it take to get these folks to come out of their ivory towers on the Hill and remember that they were elected to represent the people who elected them -- and not the greedy fat cats on Wall Street?

There is something patently wrong when the American taxpayer is forced to fund obscene bonuses for greedy Wall Street fat cats while denying senior citizens a measly COLA. It is unconscionable to say the least. With the elections so imminent it is imperative that voters begin the process of weeding out legislators who are more responsive to their own special interests than those of their constituents. A vote against every incumbent would be a great place to start.

Dave Aldrich.
Richmond.

For McDonnell, the freedom he is supposedly so thankful for is only for those who share his values. In short, freedom is a wonderful thing, except when a woman uses that freedom to make sound, intelligent reproductive choices or to create a family that contradicts McDonnell's values.

From his attacks on working women in his thesis, to his record in voting against women's health -- to include denying rape victims the emergency contraception they need -- McDonnell proves he is not only sexist, but also clueless on what "freedom" truly means.

His values are inconsistent not only with Virginia and America, but also the military and its drive to embrace all people. While McDonnell is free to choose the values he lives by, he needs to stop advertising himself as a friend of military personnel, because the freedom for which many of my fellow soldiers have fought and died, is for everybody -- women included. Marc Loi. Camp Victory, Iraq.

Deeds Will Bring Virginians Together
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Recent editorials have been critical of gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds. His opponent, Bob McDonnell, seems to be portrayed as the fair-haired boy of Virginia politics who changes his mind occasionally on matters of little consequence. Deeds is seen as the mean-spirited campaigner.

After paying careful attention to ads from both parities, I have come to the conclusion that they both follow the same format. The negative ad that McDonnell first ran showed distorted slow-motion pictures of Deeds and featured an eerie voice saying, "Deeds is known by his deeds." This is reminiscent of the negative bobble-head ad that ran against Gov. Tim Kaine during his campaign.

The Republicans invented mean-spirited, negative campaigning under the leadership of Newt Gingrich in the 1990s with his Contract With America. They have not let up since. An example of this is the recent mocking of Deed's communication skills by a McDonnell supporter.

It has been said that McDonnell's thesis is much ado about nothing and a bogeyman. When he wrote the thesis, many others were embracing the philosophy of keeping women out of the workplace and keeping them from competing for equal pay. Had it not been for the consistent advocacy of women's rights by the Democratic Party, and realization by voters that this way was unfair, McDonnell's way may have prevailed. Once elected governor, could he once again change his mind on this issue with enough persuasion from the Republican Party?

Deeds is experienced, fair, and honest. He is a candidate for the people and is more likely to bring people together across party lines to solve our state's transportation and education challenges.

Ellen Jamerson.
Appomattox.

Ken Cuccinelli, candidate for attorney general, will protect families. As a Virginia state senator, Cuccinelli has worked hard to protect life and families, and defend our Second Amendment and property rights. He has also tackled gang problems, supported the death penalty, and enforced immigration laws. As attorney general, he will continue to fight for the cause of upholding Virginia's values. Gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell was right when he said: "Ken Cuccinelli is an unwavering conservative leader with a proven record of fighting for Virginia families and values." On Election Day, Virginians should do their part to defend the families of our commonwealth by voting for Cuccinelli for attorney general. Heide Deutsch, Age 14.


Richmond.