Russian hacking; Electoral College; sing about U.S.; curb panhandlers; postage-free ballot

Russian hacking

So the Russians hacked Democrats’ passwords, which supposedly was directed at influencing the election in Trump’s favor.

Yet Hillary won the popular vote by more than 2.5 million votes.

I guess the poor Russians just did not understand the system.

Electoral College

How come the most votes do not count?

When are we going to change this situation in which four states decide who wins?

We’re a country of 50 states, and all votes need to be counted. Hillary Clinton had the most votes, yet she is not going to be president.

Something is wrong with this.

I have young people tell me they do not vote because it does not matter anyway. After this election, they are correct.

This has happened five times, and it should not happen at all. I believe those of us who voted need to do something about this.

Sing about U.S.

Let the world know that the election is over, that we have a president-elect of the United States.

Now is the time to “bind up the nation’s wounds,” a time to sing, Begin each gathering with “God Bless America.”

After the Depression of the late 20s and early 30s, we sang, “There’s a new day in view. There is gold in the blue…” I remember the entire song.

Let’s begin to sing again. The United States of America is great! Let’s quit fault-finding and unite as “One nation under God.”

Curb panhandlers

My problem with the panhandlers is, “Who are they?” (“Stronger panhandling law in works,” Wednesday)

We were approached by a young man who claimed he needed $20 for cab fare as his car had broken down and he needed to get to a job interview.

We later saw him get into a fairly nice car and drive away.

Some of these folks are indeed needy, but we have social services in place to help them. They do not need to be out bothering others and making them feel guilty.

Making giving to a panhandler illegal is a good idea.

If we can discourage those at major intersections from putting them and us in danger by walking into traffic and distracting others, that is a good idea.

Show them where they can go to get help.

Postage-free ballot

The Postage Free Ballot Act is another example of elected politicians not understanding that there is nothing “free” (“Veasey bill would make voting by mail free,” Friday)

Someone must pay, and that is the taxpayers.

I drive to my polling location to vote, and I don’t expect the government (taxpayers) to pay for my gas.

We have a huge debt in this country by continuing to give “free” things.

Government is too big and does too much. For once, let’s try standing up for people who get up and go to work every day.

After learning that many people cannot afford a postage stamp to return their mail-in ballots, I wonder if another representative will file a companion “Free Pencils To Fill Out The Postage Free Ballot Act” bill.

After all, if a person cannot afford a postage stamp, it is just as likely that they can’t afford a pencil.

Perhaps Rep. Joe Barton, in a spirit of bi-partisanship, will do that.

This story was originally published December 19, 2016 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Russian hacking; Electoral College; sing about U.S.; curb panhandlers; postage-free ballot."