Someone asked me, “Why do you want to live long?“ I replied, “I want to get up every morning and read the newspaper to learn what is going on.“—Jay Mittal, Glen Alle

. . . The Dancing Al Show was a great treat when I took my son to a recent Renegades game. It is our hope he doesn’t join Dan Marino and Len Berman with the new NutriSystem weight-loss program. The belly dance just wouldn’t be the same at 30 pounds lighter. With the way things are going, our government might just decide to tax people who are overweight to help balance the budget. Let people live their lives.—Ron Melancon, Glen Allen

The Richmond weather forecasters must have a contract with Ukrop’s. They keep predicting snow that never happens. They put the sick and elderly into a state of panic, causing them to rush to the store and stock up on groceries. It would be very refreshing if for once they could say, “We don’t know” or “We were wrong.“—Mike Giletto, Henrico

In Texas, Gov. Tim Kaine’s tax-collecting efforts might also be described as the “Spring Roundup.“ You could question, “what took him so long to close the barnyard gate?“ Having to hire 55 people to do a job that should have been “work in progress” is just plain poor management.—Billy J. Braughton, Henrico

. . .

In our current economic conditions and our state budget problems—which include no increase in pay for the state employees—it is interesting that Gov. Tim Kaine has managed to pick up a part-time job with the DNC. Even if he receives no additional salary, can we expect that he will keep track of his part-time hours for DNC and will he then reimburse our state treasury for these hours/salary away from his real job?—Jane Cox, Richmond

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, Midlothia

. . . 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

If you think there should be a level playing field and a redistribution of the wealth, do you also think that one’s drive and ambition put others at a disadvantage?—Jerry Rogers, Spring Grove

If the economy gets much worse, President-elect Barack Obama is going to have second thoughts and ask for a recount.—Robert P. Hilldrup, Richmond

. . . Regarding the statements by President-elect Barack Obama referring to his considering an $850 billion dollar stimulus package versus our own Gov. Timothy Kaine now sadly stating his regrets at having a $2.9 billion budget shortfall: Like the old saying goes, “Liars can figure but figures don’t lie.“ No wonder Kaine doesn’t want to be on Obama’s Cabinet or team.—Barbara Plunkett Turner, Chesterfield

As a result of Bushonomics, son of Reaganomics, there’s plenty trickling down. It’s tears, not money.—Ernest Irby, Henrico

. . . Our government kept telling us that bankruptcy was not a good idea for the car companies. The issue was raised that people would not buy a car from a bankrupt company. Why should we buy a car, insurance policy, and bank with a company that got a bailout? When will we get a backbone and not support a broken business model?—Ron J. Melancon, Glen Allen

Gov. Tim Kaine recently said that Michael Vick does not belong in the NFL because he’s a poor role model. Politicians [who] break their tax pledges after they’re elected are also poor role models.—Mike Giletto, Henrico

Terry McAuliffe now wants to be governor of Virginia. But the very last thing Virginia needs as governor is yet one more very wealthy Limousine Liberal who feels guilty because the rest of us aren’t paying enough taxes.