Based on the realities noted below, President Barack Obama should order a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, to begin immediately and be completed by the end of 2010:

By now, at least a third of our country should be calling for the impeachment of President Barack Obama.

The blood of 100 million people murdered by Marxists, Communists and socialists cries out against the political, economic and social policies of our president.

If you believe The News Virginian (“Time to do what works,” Nov. 8) and others, you would think that a successful downtown is all that is needed for Waynesboro to survive into the future. Wow. That seems easy enough. After all, there are a few empty buildings downtown and if they had small businesses in them, we would all prosper! New businesses like Ruth’s Renovations and the Wine Emporium are the latest additions to downtown, but they cannot survive without the patronage of the community.

At the conclusion of a successful effort to provide shoes (5,500 pairs were collected) for the widows in Kenya, Africa, I would like to express on behalf of Summit Square sponsors of the shoe collection effort, our thanks to the staff of The News Virginian. Their excellent work helped to make this collection effort one to be remembered.

Is it possible that with all the publicity about the flu season this year being doubly bad I am the only one concerned with not sharing the virus with others?

After casting my vote Tuesday, I told a worker there was going to be a lot of confusion concerning the write-in votes. First of all, “TYPE IN” would have been a more appropriate description of what you would find upon entering the voting booth. No wonder some voters actually wrote on the screen itself, as reported in Thursday’s newspaper (“Write-ins wrangled”).

While there are several candidates running for the office of Waynesboro city treasurer, I believe Terry Kent is the best choice. As a former employee of the Treasurer’s Office, I feel Terry has the background, skills and ability to correct the problems in the office and bring it back to credible standards and accounting procedures, as it should be.

I am writing to endorse Stephanie Beverage for city treasurer of Waynesboro. While Sandra Dixon is a fine person and has worked hard to do her job, she has had four years to improve the operations of the Treasurer’s Office and has failed to do so, according to audit reports and complaints from citizens. It is vital that this office can be run in an efficient and organized manner.

Apparently, this election comes down to what independent and Democratic voters want Virginia to do for the next four years. The last debate for governor allowed Virginians to see and hear the differences between the candidates. Clearly, it is state Sen. R. Creigh Deed’s long-standing commitment to values Virginians share, his hard work and his vision for Virginia that is needed.

Elections give aspiring people who seek public service the opportunity, if supported by public opinion, the privilege to serve. There is no greater comfort or higher honor than being elected by one’s constituents to be their representative.

I have recently read in the paper letters in support of different candidates. I would like to express my support for Del. Ben Cline in the 24th District. For seven years now, Ben has represented us well in Richmond.

Liberty requires a public be properly informed. However, data show low Neilson ratings on “traditional” news networks and a declining newspaper readership.

I no longer watch news on ABC, CNN, CBS, MSNBC or NBC. I no longer look for news from newspapers, other than local news. I now watch Fox and get my news from the Internet.

While it’s easier to just check off a candidate listed on the ballot for Nov. 3, this year I encourage you write in the name Terry Kent for treasurer of the City of Waynesboro. If there has ever been a time where every penny counts and must be accounted for, Terry Kent will add some much-needed polish and thoroughness to this important position.

Terry Kent will be an excellent treasurer for the City of Waynesboro. We have known him for many years and he is a well-respected, honest and conscientious man. He is well-read and has the background for financial matters for this important department of our city government.

Terry Kent is one of the most upstanding men I’ve ever met. His integrity and loyalty are undeniable.

I am presently serving as the store manager of Movie Gallery in Spanish Fort, Ala., after being a lifelong citizen of Waynesboro.

Over the past 13 years, Del. Steve Landes has fought tirelessly to protect the interests of the Shenandoah Valley. Right now the Commonwealth of Virginia is at an important crossroads. We need someone in Richmond who is an experienced leader, who has consistently proved that he can get things done.

Steve Landes’ thirteen years in the House of Delegates have served him well enough, but they have not done the same for us in the 25th District. In a recent debate with his opponent, Greg Marrow, Landes failed to offer concrete examples of anything he had done to help us. On his Web site, I found 15 pieces of legislation he had sponsored. For the most part, they reflect his fondness for cleaning-up, such as repealing an obsolete section of a bill concerning the “transportation of troops by railroad,” or pensions paid to “widows and maiden or widowed daughters of Confederate veterans.” These are not the sort of actions that foster a living wage or fix the bridges and roads in the Shenandoah Valley or meet any of our needs. To be honest, they appear frivolous.

The country is in a mess and Virginia needs all the help it can get; help such as Del. Ben Cline has provided for the past seven years.

In two weeks, not only will we be voting for governor and other state positions, but a little closer to home is the vote for Waynesboro city treasurer. As you have probably read in this newspaper (“Treasurer again gets failing grades,” Sept. 30), there have been quite a number of poor audit reports from the state. Lost revenue, late fees, poor accounting practices, etc., have caused chaos in the city building. 

Since the election of President Barack Obama (the people’s choice), I have experienced a breakdown in our democratic society. We have gone from a country moving forward to a country that is moving backward into the past using scare tactics and untruths. It is time to start electing representatives who see us all as one: Americans! And that is why I support Democrat Jeff Price in his campaign for state House District 24.

There is one simple reason Steve Landes deserves our vote in November. Steve has faithfully represented the 25th District and always had an open door, even when he did not have a challenger.

In a Sept. 26 story titled “Landes demands Marrow clarify,” I found myself in total disbelief when I read that Democratic House District 25 challenger Greg Marrow considers himself a “fiscal conservative” and “does not support tax increases.” 

As a person who grew up with shelter dogs in my home, being included as part of our family, I must admit that I’ve never understood the concept of the “outside dog.” Seeing a perpetually chained or penned so-called “outside” or “backyard” dog has always evoked a great sadness and bafflement in me.

Things to ponder:

n If you believe President Barack Obama could fulfill all of his campaign promises, you are delusional. Only Jesus Christ could have done that and only with the help of all 12 disciples.

Soon, the taxpayers living in Waynesboro will go to the polls and cast their votes for a city treasurer, when deciding not to vote should be easy.

During the recent debate sponsored by The News Virginian between Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, and challenger Greg Marrow, D-McGaheysville, Marrow referred to the $125-million stimulus that was not taken by Virginia for extended unemployment benefits as “free money” and he said it has gone onto other states.

Michael Vick was a multimillionaire football player who wasted his fortune and got into dogfighting.

Let me see now: Our government wants to manage our health care. Take a look at other programs managed by government:

This letter is to ask that you continue to support Sandra “Sandee” Dixon for treasurer of Waynesboro. Sandee is a hard-working honest person who has taken on a very large and important job. I am sure that it takes a long time to learn all that makes this job complete, and that training never stops.