Americans welcome the return of the egghead

I have heard one pundit after another wonder about the "college-educated white vote." On CNN, it was opined that those voters are the "investor class"; others assumed that they were less bigoted than other whites. A few even thought that these voters were "pro-black."

I offer a different and, I think, ignored explanation: It's the stupidity, Stupid. After eight years of the most incurious, anti-intellectual, discourse-challenged president in history, we college-educated folks are desperate for an egghead policy wonk in the White House.

What a thrill to know that our country will soon be governed by a genuine intellectual, who clearly cherishes engagement, debate and discovery. Imagine a president who reads and whose command of English is exhilarating! Imagine intellectual discussion being elevated rather than being despised and ridiculed! Imagine one's being articulate and thoughtful garnering respect rather than suspicion!

We will no longer have to cringe as we watch our bumbling, frat-boy president misspeak, mangle the English language and display a smug, self-satisfied ignorance around the world, to our national embarrassment. College graduates of all colors and religions overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama because he is a thoughtful, intellectual, articulate person, not because we are in some nonsensically characterized "class."

Goodbye, Cowboy; hello, Egghead!

JAEL GREENLEAF
Squirrel Hill

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No time to 'enjoy'

With all the anticipation and excitement leading up to election night, I felt a giant sense of relief to finally have this grueling process come to a climax. One thing perhaps above all has really stuck with me since, more so than anything else, and strangely enough it wasn't the outcome, the crowds of people or the speeches. Instead it was the congratulatory phone call our current president made to our newly elected president.

The comments President Bush made to our newly elected commander in chief will have to be described as both truly bizarre and at the same time chilling. It was reported that Mr. Bush congratulated Mr. Obama and told him, "You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. ... go enjoy yourself."

Are you kidding me? While Rome is burning "go enjoy yourself"? While sending our sons and daughters to fight and die in two wars and at the same time our economy bottoming out, "go enjoy yourself"? Apparently Mr. Bush has been. I find it downright frightening, and frankly I am at a loss for words to think that our president can be that out of touch from reality that he can make such a statement.

TIM OLENIACZ
Lawrenceville

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Money-shifting plans

"In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other" -- Voltaire (1764).

Here in 2008, we have a president-elect who intends to "spread the wealth." He was the candidate of "change," but according to Voltaire, not much has changed in the last 244 years.

Can we take from the rich and give to the poor? "Yes, we can!" I guess it was the other way around for the last eight years, so it is time again to take money "from one party of the citizens and give to the other."

I truly hope Barack Obama is able to restore the middle class in this country, but it takes investment, education, jobs and the manufacture of quality products to make that happen (or low-quality, cheap products to compete with China and make it to the shelves of Wal-Mart).

Moving money from one part of the citizenry to another is not the solution.

ED GRAHAM
North Strabane

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Rude response

It was disturbing that those in attendance at Sen. John McCain's gracious speech on Tuesday night chose to boo our newly elected president -- not once, but twice. How cheap, how disrespectful.

I think the differences in the two parties have never been more clear. When President-elect Obama spoke of Sen. McCain the crowd responded with applause and cheers. It is a shame McCain supporters could not show the same respect.

I have never been more disgusted. Please, someone, write about this; shame to those who participated.

CHRIS ARMSTRONG
Shadyside

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No justification

Diana Block's "A Note to Our Readers" (Nov. 4) -- about the National Rifle Association advertisement that appeared on the Post-Gazette wrapper the day before the election -- was lacking on many levels.

I understand the right to freedom of speech and the Post-Gazette's right to accept payment for advertising, but the PG doesn't have the right to demean a presidential candidate right before Election Day without a corresponding "fair and balanced" ad either touting his achievements or demeaning his opponent.

As a major newspaper, you have the right to report on everything that affects your readers in an objective manner. You also have the right to endorse a political candidate and pronounce that endorsement to your readers. However, you don't have the right to influence thousands of your subscribers with the same "gutter tactics" that our newly elected president is so above using.

Ms. Block's "note" was not enough -- the PG owes an apology to all of President-elect Obama's advocates, with an assurance that this will never occur again on your watch.

RUTH LOADMAN
Overbrook

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Shame on UPMC

I was shocked and saddened to read the Oct. 24 headline "UPMC to Lay Off 500 This Week." For such a large company that showed a $5 million profit in fiscal 2008 to lay off employees to ensure better profits is disgraceful.

This is not the time for big business to house-clean. We need people to remain gainfully employed, especially in these upcoming months, to put spending money back into the weakened economy. There are now, thanks to UPMC, 500 more people who are not going to be able to make that mortgage, car or utility payment, not to mention spending money at toy or retail stores this holiday season.

Shame on you, UPMC; your country needed you to set an example for financial stability, not profit greed. If you do hire 3,000 workers next year, I hope they are treated better than the 500 you tossed out so thoughtlessly.

KENETTE BAUM
Baldwin Borough

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