For a new direction

I voted for Barack Obama not because he was black but because he offered change and a new direction for this country. He was head and shoulders over your choice when it comes to matters that matter: leadership, ability, character, humility, record and vision. He ran a brilliant campaign, convinced the undecided, was endorsed by some heavyweights including Colin Powell and GWB’s former press secretary Scott McClellan, and won the debates, which helped him gain the trust and respect of the electorate. It didn’t hurt that he’s also the best orator since JFK and MLK.

Two other persons should be credited for their contributions to Obama’s victory: George W. Bush and Sarah Palin. The former for driving the country into an eight-year deep ditch with an unnecessary, costly war which has left us less secure and with a diminished image abroad, and for leaving us with an economy in the tank; and the latter for exemplifying John McCain’s poor judgment, important due to his problematic health.

Now is not the time for gloating. Nor is it the time for sniping. Please respond in your editorials with the same graciousness and class that John McCain displayed last night in his conciliatory address in Phoenix. He has a lifetime of service and courage we all admire. Your “What’s coming” diatribe, Nov. 3, was a low blow. How small of you to reprint this nonsense from Newman. Check with any historian or economist before believing that the stock market predicts accurately “what will happen in politics and the economy.” Better to stick to your “irrational” label when referring to that market.

Thanks for printing David Broder’s column, “Best Race” p. B5 of the same edition. His is a good summary although some of us might wonder a bit before accepting his conclusion that we have just witnessed the “best campaign” since 1960. It was too long and too spendy. And I’m grateful the outcome was not as close as JFK’s win over Richard Nixon. Then as now it was/is a new day for America.

Ray Kauffman, Albany

Praying for president-elect

I am a staunch conservative Republican. I have based my decisions on voting as I believe the word of God directs. There has been much prayer and work that has gone into our presidential election from many people that have been involved in many ways. It has been the American way to act according to the freedom we have. Even though John McCain did not win, I will pray and support our new president, because the Bible tells us to.

I took the words that John McCain spoke in his concession speech very seriously: “I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president ... . These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face ... .”

I also listened very closely to the speech our new President-elect Obama gave, and I as a fellow American will not only pray for him, but hold him to his words.

“We know the government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

“And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.”

Our faithful prayers for President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden are desperately needed. Their new administration faces the challenges of a struggling economy, active wars against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, and energy and environmental concerns — all perhaps unprecedented in a generation.

Also, as an American, I will do my part to work hard in my commmunity where God has placed me. Please, join me, for there is much to do and a task for everyone as we work together.

God bless America.

Nancy Patton, Sweet Home

Will he take our income?

The essence of slavery is forcing a person to serve the purposes of another. It is tragically ironic that a biracial president in a post-racial society will support a form of slavery and, incredibly, promote its expansion.

The cornerstone in President-elect Obama’s tax policy is “to spread the wealth around.” He thinks doing so “is good for everybody.” His method is clear: forcibly take income from some and redistribute the money to others who

didn’t earn it. And if the income earner resists, dispatch armed government officials to compel compliance.

This is not about the common good. If it was, Obama’s priority would be to encourage each of us to voluntarily extend a hand up to our fellow man. Instead, he resorts to thrusting the greedy fingers of government into some of our wallets.

Obama’s approach differs only in degree, but not in essence, from slavery. Full-time slaves earn no income. Present-day slaves have all of their earnings confiscated only part of the tax year. But all slaves at all times are forced to be a means to another’s end.

Gordon L. Shadle, Albany

A change on the stage

Houston … the chicken has landed. The eagle has left the international stage, and a chicken has walked on.

John Penrod, Lebanon

Let’s work together now

With the election over we are all faced with an important decision. Do we cling to the past, to fear, and continue to listen to the loudmouths that stir up division, and keep our heads stuck in the sand, or do we show courage and daring.

There will be those who will hide from future achievements by blaming some past shadow or misunderstanding that frightened them. Who will stand up and condemn their own ignorance? Who will admit their shortsighted and narrow opinions? Who can reach out a friendly hand to those we saw as enemies but were just neighbors with different ideas from ours? Who has the courage to valiantly dare to work together for greater community cooperation and unity for the common good?

In hard times we can either work together or go it alone.

The future of our community and any country depends on those who remember the natural law of unity, the call to “love thy neighbor,” to walk softly upon the Earth and do no harm and, most importantly, to listen and not impose our ideas on others.

The greatest solutions are the result of people working together, listening to each other and respecting each person’s point of view. With this approach we have created democracy, freed the slaves, given women the vote, defeated Hitler and sent men to the moon.

The days after the election can be days just like other days or they can be a new beginning for you, our community, Oregon and the United States of America.

The decision is up to you.

David Anderer, Albany