Cantor, Schools Deserve Thanks

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

There are certain times where government and elected officials should be noticed and praised for doing the right thing. While

The Times-Dispatch reported on these, I would like to highlight them again with a resounding thank you!

The first comes for Rep. Eric Cantor. Thank you congressman for not spending taxpayer money on earmarks. In this, you have set an example I wish other officials would follow.

The simple reality is if elected officials practiced restraint in spending, taxes could be lower and needed government programs (such as infrastructure and help to the mentally ill) may not face such crises. I hope we all remember elected officials are taking our money, and should be held accountable for how it is spent.

My other big thank you is to the Chesterfield School Board and Chesterfield school officials. A few months ago, Chesterfield announced that foreign languages would be taught at the elementary school level. Children today will be living in and affected by a global economy. Communication is a primary factor to help them understand what is going on and may help them become more marketable in finding jobs.

I can only hope languages such as Japanese, Chinese, and Hindi will be offered. China and India are emerging economies in this century. The Chesterfield County Futures Committee is also studying "Education in a Global Society," and I look forward to reading that report. I would hope the Chesterfield School Board will seriously consider their findings so Chesterfield can continue to lead the way in education.

Kevin L. Salminen. Richmond.

U.S. Is a Republic, Not a Democracy

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

How ironic that you unwittingly answered the very question you posed in your editorial "Whom To Believe?" In that editorial, you expressed mystification as to why such a large percentage of Americans are skeptical regarding the emanations of the mainstream media. This phenomenon is "not good for democracy," you opined.

Allow me to correct you. The government of the United States is not a democracy; it is a republic. In both types of government, supreme power is vested in the people. However, in a democracy the people exercise their power directly, whereas in a republic they do so vicariously, through elected representatives.

What mystifies me is why so many seemingly well-educated individuals find this distinction so difficult to retain. After all, have you not recited the Pledge of Allegiance since your days in elementary school? It clearly states, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands."

Whether this mistake is agenda-driven or results from pure ignorance, I cannot say, but it does little to build my confidence in the credibility of the mainstream media.

Lucy Redding. Ashland.

Are the Supremes In Big Oil's Pocket?

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

After the Supreme Court's reduction of the punitive damages in the Exxon Valdez case, should anyone question the fact that Big Oil runs this country?

Jeff Picchi. Dillwyn.State Should Seek Better Road Solutions Editor, Times-Dispatch: Our governor feels the only solution to the transportation crisis is more government, when no government has ever accomplished anything other than create the environment that propels capitalism.

For instance, the state -- which has an obligation to affect things bigger than a single county or municipality -- failed some years ago to bring the three parties together to allow a second super-airport like Dulles in southeastern Virginia. More recently it failed to stop a single county from blocking the offer by Halliburton to build high-speed rail from Washington to Caroline County.

In the Netherlands, interstate medians are leased to farmers to grow hay. Capitalism there not only removes the expense burden from the taxpayer but also creates an income source.

The solution to most of the transportation problems lies not in more roads but in more public transportation encompassing high-speed rail (maglev separate from current freight rail), commuter bus service crossing county lines, and local trolley service. In most countries, there is an auto fuel tax supporting these alternative transportation methods.

I would not pay increased taxes to help out NOVA or Tidewater, but would pay to permit me to comfortably commute the nine miles to my work and other alternatives. St. George B. Pinckney.

Richmond.