Letters to the Editor

After the hard-fought election of 2008, the beauty of this great country shined brightly yesterday. We had the freedom to choose whoever we felt had the best capacity to lead this nation through present challenges and those to come. We were not coerced as in other societies. The candidates' plans had been laid out in plain sight. In my family, our children - ages 5 and 3 - decorated our house to celebrate the day, one that should be cherished in the exercise of an inalienable right for which so many have paid the ultimate price.

Kareem Afzal

North Wales

Americans went to the polls yesterday after what every report has called "a 21-month campaign." That is ridiculous. Nearly two whole years. Think about the money spent. It is all, quite simply, too much. Every four years, we talk about the need for campaign reform. Then someone is elected and we forget about it. Let's not forget this time. There has to be a better way.

Marie Conn

Hatboro

» READ MORE: mconn56@yahoo.com

I believe the large sell-offs in the stock market are not due to individuals but big institutional players who have millions - if not billions - of shares to play with. They can sway the markets at will or on a whim. Many companies around the globe are still making money - perhaps not as much as was anticipated - but still, they are in the black. Market fluctuations are based on a mythology of anticipation. Maybe it's time to change the system. Have it reflect reality instead of a make-believe world according to economists and pundits.

Sally Fridy

Paoli

It is fitting that, as the Jane Austen Society of North America makes plans to host its annual general meeting in Philadelphia next year, the city is in the midst of a spectacular baseball celebration. How perfect that Jane Austen was the first writer ever to use the word

baseball.

Our members believe that both the Phillies and Jane Austen are champions.

Elizabeth Steele

JASNA AGM coordinator

Furlong

Once again, city officials have shown a blatant disregard for the wishes of the people of Philadelphia ("Council committee backs zoning for Gallery casino," Sunday). We have shown we do not want gambling here, but if the city is going to shove it down our throats, why on earth choose a downtown shopping area? Does City Council feel obligated to destroy a great business district and vibrant neighborhoods? First the river wards, and now Chinatown? I used to think politicians sat on their brains. Now I firmly believe it.

John J. Murtha

Philadelphia

I was upset when you described the Phillies as the first professional team to win a championship in Philadelphia since 1983. Not true! The Philadelphia Soul won the Arenabowl this year. How could you forget about them? I am so happy and proud of the Phillies, but feel the Soul have been ignored.

Christina Ridgeway

Trevose

» READ MORE: mrscridgeway@yahoo.com

The dilemma facing SEPTA before the Phillies parade was simple arithmetic - how does a transit system already operating at full capacity accommodate a tidal wave of people going to the party? The answer, while difficult to accomplish, was to place as many trains as possible where the largest number of people were expected, and run them as often as possible.

On any given weekday, the SEPTA Regional Rail system carries about 135,000 customers. As daily riders are already aware, some trains are "standing room only." On Friday, however, the trains carried an estimated 300,000 people. Regrettably, to accomplish this we had to disappoint some people. There was simply no means to carry everyone.

For SEPTA, it was a day of historic proportions. And, despite the crush, the best news was that no one was injured. I regret we couldn't possibly carry everyone to the party, as well as the disruption experienced by many of our regular commuters. I also am extremely proud of the hundreds of talented and dedicated SEPTA employees - including many office workers who left their desks to volunteer with crowd control.

Joe Casey

SEPTA general manager

Philadelphia