In response to “Jobless rate drop surprises” (Oct. 5):

New jobless figures just look too good to be believed

Just three days after President Obama gets a butt whipping in a debate, three weeks before the election, unemployment drops conveniently by 0.3 percent to the under 8 percent magic number? Coincidence or manipulation? Hmmmmmm.

Don Markofski

Mooresville

Accept the truth and be grateful jobs are being created

Some people just will not accept the truth, even if it bit them in the rear. Some people have the gall to suggest that the latest unemployment numbers are fabrications by the White House to help Obama’s cause. They will do not want to give our president even one iota of credit for the uptick in the unemployment numbers. They should be grateful that there are jobs being made out there for both Republicans and Democrats. My wife and I are both retired and living on our “entitlements” (small monthly SS checks) and we would be very happy to just find a part-time job doing about anything.

Wayne Shook

Taylorsville

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Debate-thrashing put this conservative in nirvana

My utmost pleasure this past week, politically, has not been reveling with pride and joy over the thrashing Mitt Romney put on a beleaguered, prosaic Barack Obama. The real fun has been listening to the perturbed, frantic, distraught Obama lemmings making lame excuses for his outright pummeling.

It may be short-lived but the last few days have been blissful nirvana for a lot of conservative Americans.

Dickie Benzie

Charlotte

Comparing tax apples to tax apples, Romney looks good

As a retired businessman, I am very concerned about the media coverage of the Romney tax issue. The liberal press continues to publish the same old story: “Romney made 13.7 million dollars and only paid 14 percent tax.”

This statement is an apples-to-oranges comparison (dollars to percent). The headline should read: “Romney made 13.7 million dollars and paid tax of 1.9 million dollars.” This statement reflects an apples-to-apples (dollars to dollars) comparison. Between the years of 2002 to 2009, Romney also donated $6.15 million to his church and charities, which does not include his non-cash donations. It is not apparent that any other current politician can match Romney’s tax payments or donations. Goods are not purchased, bills are not paid and taxes are not satisfied with percentages, but they are paid with dollars.

Stephen Speer

Indian Trail

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In response to “Obama, the media and one angry reader” (Taylor Batten’s In My Opinion, Oct. 7):

Observer’s bias shows on Opinion pages and elsewhere

Carolyn is correct! The Observer obviously leans left. Reporter bias shows in the reporting; editorial bias shows in opinion, cartoons and other editorials selected. If I had a choice in a daily paper, I am not sure you would be chosen.

Ed Garland

Charlotte

‘Liberal’ Observer treats my conservative views fairly

Like Carolyn, I often feel the Observer has a rather “liberal” view of things. I would, however, like to add that as a rather conservative individual, the Editorial staff has been more than fair in providing me with a forum for my points of view.

Ed Carlson

Charlotte

Not pro Obama, pro Democrat? That’s simply not believable

Regarding Taylor Batten’s comment, “The Observer editorial board isn’t pro Obama... We are not pro Democrat or Republican”: Liar, Liar, your Democratic pants are on FIRE.

Jerry Pelletier

Charlotte

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Too much rampant dishonesty from both political parties

I’m throwing in my lot with the bipartisan “NoLabels.org” and would suggest other thinking voters take a look. The final straw was rampant dishonesty from parties posturing for political gain. Evidence the recent email I received from U.S. House Speaker John Boehner that blamed all the debt, fiscal cliff and sequestration on President Obama. Really? Facts do not support this take. And the additional suggestion that the GOP is a defender of Medicare is historically repugnant. The low-info electorate is enabling our democracy to reach new lows.

Chip Potts

Mooresville

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This beneficiary of national care likes Obamacare, Obama

As a Davidson College graduate living overseas, I’ve experienced the advantages of having a national health care program. Five years ago I got a liver transplant here, making me a real-life German (liver)-American (heart). All costs plus my necessary anti-rejection medicine are covered by my German public health insurance policy.

Everyone gets sick at sometime in their life, which is why everyone will need health care, sooner or later. When everyone pays into such a health insurance plan, costs will come down and all people will benefit.

“Obamacare” is the first such plan designed to benefit all Americans. He is the first President to push successfully for such a national health care program in the past 100 years. That alone is enough reason why the majority of American voters should re-elect him.

Dennis Phillips

Frankfurt am Main, Germany