Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Peter Wehner should be ashamed to promote the notion that citizens should sit out elections if neither candidate appeals to them. Surely he has a better understanding of each citizen’s obligations in a democracy. If we cannot vote for our ideal candidate, we must still choose the lesser of two evils, as it were, if we are repulsed by the personality of one and disagree with the policies of the other.

It is our democratic duty as Americans to wrestle with this dilemma and cast a vote, regardless of our emotions. Blood was shed to secure this solemn obligation.

ERIC HAUSKER

Rahway, N.J.

Note from KBJ: Sorry, Eric; I have no obligation (legal or moral) to vote for someone who turns my stomach. If any Republican other than Donald Trump or Ted Cruz gets the nomination, I'm staying home. I'm sick to death of holding my nose while I vote. I wonder what Eric would do if he had to choose between Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler. By his own logic, he has to vote for Trump.

Here.

Here.

Here is the latest on the Clinton Crime Family. I feel sorry for Chelsea. How would you like to have criminals for parents? Bill is a serial rapist; Hillary solicits and accepts bribes. Chelsea has learned their ways all too well. Look for her to have a great future in politics.

To the editor:

In this politically charged, critical election year, President Obama's final State of Union address was largely nonpartisan; most poignantly, it addressed the broken political system in America. ("Looking to the future in his last State of the Union, Obama rekindles a familiar refrain: Hope," Jan. 12)

Even the staunchest critics of Obama would have to acknowledge that the national unemployment rate is much lower than what the president inherited in 2009 and that the United States is an island of stability given the grim global economic situation.

Above all, the peace-loving world looks toward this country for leadership on important issues.

The biggest takeaway from Obama's speech is that regardless of which party wins the White House in 2016, unless we fix our country's divisive political climate, shared progress in America is only a dream.

Atul M. Karnik, Woodside, N.Y.

Note from KBJ: I don't understand the oft-repeated claim that our political system is "broken." It's working exactly as intended and exactly as it should. Most of those who register this complaint are progressives, and what they seem to be saying is that they're frustrated by Barack Obama's inability to get everything he wants. By the way, the "unemployment rate" is a dishonest number, for it fails to count as unemployed people who have given up on searching for a job. It also fails to count the underemployed. How much do you want to bet that when we get a Republican president, Atul M. Karnik will be saying this very thing? As for this country's political climate being "divisive," that's a good thing, not a bad thing. There are different visions of the good and the right. These visions get reflected in the political realm. It is a sign of health, not something to be regretted.

Why I will never read Peter Wehner.

This is why I haven't read David Brooks in many years.

Reformation (2002). I just purchased this album on compact disc. The second disc (of three) contains a concert at Sadlers Wells on 1 May 1983. "Foundation" is the first of 10 songs on the disc.