Your Say: What's really at stake in Election 2012?

Comments from Facebook and Twitter:

President Obama looks extremely divisive even here in West Virginia. He spends his time pitting the rich against the poor, women against men, blacks against whites, and Christians against Muslims. He has done nothing to bring this country together.

-- Stewart Pepper

Obama's plan really shines when you compare it with Republicans spending billions on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars while slashing billions here at home. On the other hand, Obama is quite willing to spend billions here at home and cut billions to Iraq and Afghanistan.

-- Michael Mahan

The election is about returning this country to the people and its original values. And we do not need big government telling us how to live.

-- @mtbrewer

Americans will be voting not just for a candidate but a party, and the GOP's Tea Party is a radicalized one. Its members are concerned with the desire to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory agencies. They want to lower taxes on the wealthy even though tax revenues as a percentage of GDP are at a 60-year low.

How the working class fits into this equation, and how they can justify giving Mitt Romney their vote is the mystery of the ages.

-- Ron West

It's true. The choice is stark. Mitt Romney supports more "war spending." Barack Obama says no.

-- @Abbas_Abedi

Health care and my pension are the issues that matter most to me.

-- @JimAlbin68

Obama's vision is better because his is clear and pragmatic. Romney's is clouded by ideology/false assumptions. Who knows what Romney really believes?

-- @Moonlitechirp

Letters to the editor:

There is a stark contrast between the two candidates' fundamental beliefs. The choice you must make in November is quite simple.

If you believe that a bigger federal government is a better government; that it is OK to spend $1 trillion more every year than you bring in; and more money should be taken from those who are willing to work and those who create jobs to be redistributed to others who are not so willing; and if you believe that the government should ensure everyone gets "equal results" not just an "equal opportunity," then you should vote for the incumbent. However, if you believe that a smaller, less invasive federal government is a better government; that the government should not spend more money than it takes in; that it should operate on a balanced budget like your household tries to do; and that more of the money you earn belongs in your pocket and not in Uncle Sam's; and you believe the federal government's role is to ensure "equal opportunity," not "equal results," then you should vote for a change in leadership.

Craig Hardcastle; Winter Haven, Fla.

The Republicans were driving the Economic Bus for eight years. Unfortunately, they drove it into a deep ditch. President Obama managed to keep it from going over the cliff and finally got it out of the ditch, which was no easy feat. It is finally back on the road and headed in the right direction.

In stunning hubris, though, the Republicans now are complaining that we haven't gotten to our destination fast enough. Now they want the keys back. I don't think so!

Russ Hartung; Morrisonville, N.Y.