Access to affordable health care is a right, not a privilege.

Truckers may want to keep the hammer down. We’ll keep hammering away at the need for long-distance drivers to get enough sleep.

Virgil Goode is a man, and representative, of honor and experience.

Once upon a time, I thought that John McCain was a man to be admired. But I do not recognize the man that I see now.

The letter of Sept. 18, “Obama critiques conceal racism,” was the most offensive letter I have ever seen in The Daily Progress.

I love it! Now, if you do not support Sen. Barack Obama, you’re a racist.

Sen. Barack Obama’s economic plan does not raise taxes on the vast majority of Americans.

Politics. I hate the word. It has come to represent exaggeration, obfuscation and even falsification.

Sadly, we the people have been cheated out of our glorious and God-given heritage; led astray by an elitist few who, shamelessly and with reckless abandon, separated us from our heritage.

It’s very sad that the House of Representatives has passed a bill to allow more offshore drilling (“Goode votes against offshore drilling bill,” The Daily Progress, Sept. 18).

Charlottesville’s Sister Cities Commission seems to be taking both a creative and a common-sense approach to relationships with overseas cities. That’s a wise balance.

Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton.

I am writing in response to the letter to the editor titled “Obama critiques conceal racism” (The Daily Progress, Sept. 18).

How money is parceled out to road and bridge projects is only part of Washington’s problem.

The Republican Party seems to be out in left field this year, and this is shameful.

If not for the recent economic shocks being realized by every living person in America – unbridled inflation in the costs of education, health care, food, clothing, energy, travel and entertainment, accelerating evaporation of income earned and wealth accumulated by the working class – the current silly season of politics would be quite amusing.

Last week, a convoy of police and rescue vehicles led the first convoy over the new Interstate 35 bridge in Minneapolis, not much more than a year after the old bridge collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring 145.

The Snickers bars are in the bag with the Gatorade and pads, and the skates and sticks are in place, making it time for the newest political lobby to caucus.

The Albemarle County Natural Heritage Committee recently told the Board of Supervisors that its success was endangered by a lack of support.

How about cutting spending and holding off on the grand projects until the economy can afford it?

True democrats support their neighborhood associations and do not allow them to die from neglect.

Although I respect the different views and opinions of people in the community I feel compelled to react to the inflammatory phrasing in a letter to the editor —“ Obama unqualified on all fronts,” Sept. 15 (The Daily Progress).

Let’s hire Barack Obama.

Out of your cube and into the street.

It would be wonderful to live in a nation where every parent can take a sick child to the doctor, where working people can support their families without living one paycheck from disaster and where leaders put the common good be-fore the interests of wealth and power.

Every four years we Americans elect a person to lead our great nation and to help defend and champion the free world.

It’s heartwarming — but not unexpected — when an assistance dog saves a life. After all, that’s what they’re trained to do.

The turgid coffeehouse ad evokes Rockwellian images of rounding out “the day’s first moments with a cup of coffee — expertly blended and roasted, offering flavors that mingle delightfully with your meal.”

Congress’s approval rating has declined to close to single digits because Congress seems to be all talk and no action.

Could you voluntarily listen for 20 years to a teacher who promotes hate and then say that he had no influence on your thinking?