Lynchburg and Danville are absolutely right. The Charlottesville MPO needs to return the $50 million in taxpayer money it’s held for the past 18 years, or build the bypass.

Sen. Barack Obama says that Gov. Sarah Palin does not have the experience to lead this country if something should happen to Sen. John McCain, and I agree. On the other hand, Sen. Joe Biden said earlier this year that Obama does not have the experience to lead this country. So who do we trust?

We in the 5th District have the opportunity to help send two respected and proven men to Congress. Former Gov. Mark War-ner’s record of fiscal responsibility and ability to work across the aisle are such that he has even won the backing of two former Republican leaders of the Virginia legislature.

I try to be an informed voter, and, as a taxpaying citizen of the 5th Congressional District, find myself outraged that the elected congressman of our district will not participate in a debate forum for the his whole district to see (“No TV debate for 5th candidates,” Daily Progress, Oct. 7).

Like a half dozen other neighbors on Holkham Drive off Owens-ville Road, we had our “Obama for President” yard signs stolen recently.

Yogi Berra once said, “You can observe a lot by watching.” When something does not seem to make sense, I follow Yogi’s advice and take a look at it.

It was with utter disbelief that I heard a recent radio endorsement from Sen. Jim Webb about Barack Obama protecting our Second Amendment rights.

As the presidential campaign nears the finish line, I find myself thinking about the 1962 musical “The Music Man.”

Remember in our youth when our parents and teachers told us: It’s how we deal with adversity and acclaim that reveals our character and has a profound influence on our interactions with others.

Because China lies, people die – and the rest of the world are sharing the same pain of the lack of free information as a result.

The trouble with Barack Obama’s plan is that people believe it’s all about equal material possession regardless of the ethos that went toward obtaining them.

Barack Obama’s plan, and the Democratic plan, is to continue to keep minorities a slave to the system through handouts in the form of free housing, food vouchers, substandard public schools and other government freebies.

In recent years a number of products from China have been contaminated: pet food, toothpaste, children’s toys and now milk products.

The place of your wallet in the economy is very important; of even greater importance is your liberty.

Virgil Goode’s television ads are certainly the most despicable I have seen in a very long lifetime.

In choosing his running mate, Sen. John McCain bypassed some of the most-qualified, best-known public figures from his own party for Sarah Palin, the least qualified and the least known.

A letter from an Albemarle County couple on Oct. 22 (“Obama’s liberal morality found to be lacking,” The Daily Progress) gives the opinion that Barack Obama is not a fit leader for our country because of his stand on abortion and gay rights.

All my reasons for voting against Barack Obama boil down to this: He’s a fraud.

Isn’t it grand that gasoline prices have fallen by 10 cents overnight?

I was born and raised in Virginia, a Roanoke hillbilly, and I’m just amazed right now. It seems true that my beloved Virginia is poised to transcend race.

President Bush attempted unsuccessfully to privatize this economic resource, and John McCain was a major spokesperson in that attempt.

Barack Obama was president of Harvard Law Review, which was unlikely to have been more concerned about affirmative action than its scholarly reputation.

I would like to try to clear up misinformation some people seem to have about “the Catholic vote.”

I am concerned about the immediate future of Social Security.

I want to thank the press and television media for the recent reports of the price gouging of gasoline in the Charlottesville area.

One of the joys of living in Charlottesville is the spirit of community.

I read a letter in The Daily Progress a few days ago where this lady said that doctors do not care about their patients anymore (“Leaders must look beyond their power,” Oct. 4).

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the participants in the Quality Community Council Walks! Against Gun Violence.

I was deeply disappointed when Virgil Goode turned his back on his supporters in the Democratic Party.

I was born and raised in Virginia, a Roanoke hillbilly, and I’m just amazed right now. It seems true that my beloved Virginia is poised to transcend race.