READERS WRITE: Election 2008

Responses to Mike Luckovich cartoon, @issue, Nov. 6.

Cartoon was right on the mark

Mike Luckovich’s cartoon was extremely appropriate. Despite the sundry problems facing the nation, from the economic downturn to health care reform, all of it matters little without our basic, fundamental rights as Americans. And how appropriate it is that we’ve elected a former constitutional law instructor to helm the task of repairing our Constitution and would expect this to be his first priority —- on Day 1.

TONY MONTCALM, Winston

Leave ivory tower, look at real Obama

Mike Luckovich’s “Day One” cartoon is simply too important to ignore. Had he taken the time to come down from the ivory tower during the campaign, he would know what utter contempt President-elect Obama has for the U.S. Constitution.

A more appropriate caricature would have been Obama holding up the document and taking a lit match to it.

ROBERT CHRISTY, Roswell

Sadly, women remain in back of line

Although I am not black, when I saw tears being shed by Oprah Winfrey and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a lump rose in my throat because I understood perfectly how they felt. After being considered inferior throughout history simply because of a different skin pigmentation, it must have felt wonderful to finally feel validated as worthy human beings.

I am happy for them and for all of us to have made that progress, but I wonder if I will ever be able to experience that same joy by seeing a woman equally honored. Women, too, have been considered inferior. Our Constitution has long opposed racial discrimination, but our country declined to add protection against gender discrimination to the Constitution when it failed to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.

My joy is tempered by sadness, because women are still waiting, and I fear women of my generation will continue to experience the disappointment of always remaining in the back of the line.

MARGARET CURTIS, Atlanta

Early voting should be expanded

Apparently those long lines of African-Americans voting early in Georgia and around the South have the Republican Party running scared. Now state Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) and others in his party want to put an end to early voting. This move is a transparent attempt to keep voters from the polls.

Isn’t this the same Republican Party that retroactively justified the Iraq war as part of our duty to spread democracy to the world? Perhaps they meant they only wanted to spread democracy outside our borders and only if the voters elect the candidates they want?

Don’t be fooled by this attempt to limit those who want to fulfill their patriotic duty to this nation by casting their vote. Early voting should be expanded to all states and should be made to run as smoothly as possible so that more of the electorate, not less, is encouraged to vote.

AMANDA WITT, Decatur

For Obama to succeed, we must unite as a team

Let us all join together —- Democrats, Republicans and independents —- and give President-elect Obama time to put this country back on track.

Many will want the change immediately. It cannot and will not happen quickly. It took years to get us into this situation and it will take years to get us back on track.

Let’s do this right, no Band-Aids. I want the end result to be one we can be proud of as we work together as Americans. Let us show the rest of the world how we can do this as a team.

CAROL MULDAWER, Atlanta

‘911’ election remark prompts a sick feeling

I listened to a morning news program recapping the historic presidential election as I drove my daughter to school Wednesday. The interviewer talked with two Atlanta women leaving a hotel where they had watched the election returns. Their words shocked me to the core. Each said that Obama’s victory “felt just like another 9/11.”

I felt sick to think that any American could equate an election —- the active demonstration of how our great nation exercises democracy —- to a murderous, hate-motivated tragedy. One of the women went on to say that “this is the end of America as we know it.”

If by that she meant an end to the divisiveness, mean-spiritedness, fear-mongering and greed that have polarized out nation and wrecked our economy, then I say, “good riddance!”

CYNTHIA WALSH, Newnan

President-elect will need prayers of all Americans

Americans, please pray for Barack Obama as he has heavy burdens to shoulder. As John McCain stated so beautifully, “Sen. Obama is my president and I will do all I can to support him.”

He called on fellow Republicans not just to honor the will of the people, but to stand behind Obama.

Though many may not care for our new president, it is our duty as Americans to support him and pray each day for his strength and wisdom.

To behave differently will weaken our nation’s spirit. Please wish him the best, as our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are doing.

I was awed to see how much this election means to our youth and minorities. The message was clear: With hard work and commitment, anything is possible. That realization will inspire all of our children to work harder and reach higher.

I was so proud to be an American Nov. 4 as I watched millions of excited citizens celebrating joyously.

The faces of these voters and the pride they displayed gave me great hope for our nation.

BETSY BENNETT LUREY, Atlanta

 A Mike Luckovich cartoon from Nov. 6 issue showing Barack Obama's Day One as president.