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I am a female barber who works between two retirement communities. I've had the privilege to speak with many gentlemen who have served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.

We have had many discussions regarding politics in America. I have learned over the years how important it is to "agree to disagree" and that each of our opinions is of equal value.

The overwhelming consensus is that only during the 9/11 attack on America have our politicians been united for the good of America. These men and I feel that our elected officials have forgotten why they're in office — to serve and represent Americans. Only by enacting term limits on all politicians and outlawing lobbyists can we expect to receive the representation we are entitled to.

The apathy and unwillingness of our citizens to make necessary changes in our government will only allow this political cancer to continue.

Lipstick on a pig seems to be a popular political phrase lately. There is one incredibly ugly sow that no amount of makeup could beautify about to appear on the November ballot. That is Proposition 105.

This proposition would give the power to make decisions on tax-related initiatives to those who do not vote. Under this plan, there could be 100 percent approval of a tax measure by those who voted, but if only 49.9 percent of those qualified to vote did so, the measure would fail.

Do not be fooled by the "majority rules" title being used by the sponsor. Decisions should be made by the majority of those who vote, not by those who don't.

When we oppose a war based on lies, we are said to be against our troops. When we talk about educating our children about the dangers of perpetrators, we are said to be teaching sex education to kindergartners. When we question a woman about her readiness to lead this country or challenge her qualifications, we are said to be sexist.

Enough of the spin and judgment. How about we stop and listen to the truth? That would be a change I could believe in.

Re: the Sept. 9 editorial "Enrollment drop reflects lack of trust in TUSD."

The Star's editors were right when they said that the Tucson Unified School District needs to re-establish trust with the public, but the problem of wise allocation of tax dollars goes much deeper. TUSD administrators cite research that demonstrates that the classroom teacher is the most important factor in improving student performance. It is unfortunate that TUSD continues to have an addiction to administration that diverts tax dollars away from classrooms.

TUSD's organizational chart shows six chief academic officers. At my school we have four coordinator positions for teachers who do not want to teach in the classroom. We also have five assistant principals.

Eliminating administrative positions from the central office does not work if they just reappear at school sites. Until TUSD learns to wisely spend the resources it already has, it should not be asking the public for more. Remember this when you vote on the TUSD budget override this November.

Re: the Sept. 12 column "Barnyard beauty babble takes focus off issues" by Eugene Robinson.

Robinson is right. Sports fans, including soccer moms and hockey moms, get it. John McCain is trying to run out the clock so the opposition can't score points.

Voters care about the major issues we all face. We may be distracted temporarily by the static and noise of smears and half-truths, but we know such trash talk isn't what makes America tick and isn't the best way to pick its leaders.

We must stand up to these slippery tactics. They may be OK for playing games, but they're wrong for deciding America's future. Let's talk honestly and earnestly about what really matters.

Few of us realized how clever our Arizona senator is. John McCain selected a female running mate who has distracted voters from the issues.

An integral part of McCain's "ingenuity" is that the political focus is taken away from a sagging economy, a monumental national debt, an energy crisis, an increasing jobless rate, a dwindling middle class and an unfavorable world image of our country. All of this has occurred during eight years of a Republican administration.

Let us ask those who want to lead our government the tough questions about improving our economy and our world image, whittling down the national debt, cutting inflation on health care costs, and restoring our trust in government. This is the only way to turn our country around.

Devious maneuvers to sidetrack voters from the real issues the U.S. faces won't work. We need sound information so we can make an informed decision about our next president.

Re: the Sept. 11 letter "Left bitterness for betterment."

The letter writer's opinion was so "right on" that I placed her letter on my refrigerator door. John McCain is an American's American. He is so real and down to earth, as well is his running mate Sarah Palin, that it's hard to believe they are actually politicians.

McCain has given so much to his country. I feel it would be a disgrace on America's part if we do not give him the honor of being our commander in chief and allow him and Palin to bring reform to Washington. All politicians say they will bring "change" but McCain and Palin have the experience, knowledge and backbone to meet bipartisanship resistance head on to produce real change in Washington.

Although I'm a Democrat, I've had a certain admiration for the John McCain of years past for his integrity and his willingness to challenge his party when he disagreed. Recently, however, he's pretty much lost his "maverickness" by embracing the key policies of the Bush administration on the war, on the economy, on health care, on judicial appointments, et cetera.

But what has dismayed and outraged me more than anything else has been his willingness to embrace the sleazy and dishonest campaign rhetoric that he rightfully criticized and suffered from himself in 2000. Our democracy depends in large part upon citizens being able to vote based upon candidates' positions.

When a candidate lies, grossly distorts and ignores the issues, he is showing contempt for our citizenry and our democracy. This is hardly "country first" by any stretch of the imagination. Even Karl Rove, no Puritan on this subject, told Fox News that both campaigns' attacks have gone "one step too far."