To The Daily: From the scathing attacks I see and hear, President Barack Obama is the greatest threat to our nation's survival that has ever existed. But the falsehoods that are being fabricated about him are not necessary, since the truth is damaging enough.

Not unlike most candidates for president, Mr. Obama used the personal pronoun "I" almost exclusively when campaigning on promises of how he would fix America. After he was elected, he discovered there were two elected bodies consisting of 535 members, and some of them did not agree with his plans to "fix" (or "destroy," as his detractors would put it) the nation.

Mitt Romney is running on the big "I" platform also. If he is elected to the office of chief executive, he will find there will be opposition from some of the 535 to his plan from "la la land" to fix America.

In addition to the 535 sitting in the Senate and House, there is that pesky group of nine in the wings that might upset the greatest plans of mice and men.

William R. Graham

Athens

New polling site too far away

To The Daily: I have voted in every election since 1963 in District 4 (3-6), located now at Westmeade Baptist Church. This location is five blocks from my home on Fletcher Avenue. During redistricting, we were "selected" to be moved to District 1 (3-11) with a voting place at Carrie Matthews Recreation Center. This is three miles from my home by the most direct route. West Decatur School (also a District 1 voting place) is only two miles away, and the Aquadome voting location is even closer.

What is the logic for this fiasco, except to make it more difficult and inconvenient for these voters to exercise their rights to vote? I expected a more sincere effort to be made to incorporate us into District 1.

John R. Pittman

Decatur

Alzheimer's support available

To The Daily: It is estimated that 5.1 million people in the United States are suffering from Alzheimer's disease. On May 15, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled the first-ever "National Plan To Address Alzheimer's Disease" as mandated by the National Alzheimer's Project Act.

The plan calls for the prevention and effective treatment of Alzheimer's disease by 2025 and lays out strategies related to awareness and education, clinical care standards, long-term care and supportive services for family caregivers, and up-to-date training of health care professionals.

In 1988, Dr. George Hansberry, who was one of Decatur's most revered physicians, called a group of people together to discuss the need for more community education about Alzheimer's disease. The Mental Health Association worked with Dr. Hansberry in organizing a conference at Oak Park Middle School attended by more than 250 people. After the conference, the Mental Health Association began an Alzheimer's family support group.

In addition to the support group, we offer assistance with nutritional supplements and incontinence products for families; certified dementia educators who conduct education and training programs; the annual Caddell Alzheimer's Conference; a resource guide for families and professionals; screenings; an Alzheimer's fair during Alzheimer's Awareness Month in November, as well as consultations, educational materials and resources for families.

Sue H. Brantley

Decatur

Tea party refuses to compromise

To The Daily: I would like to respond to Franklin Johnson's May 20 letter. First, let me be clear that I do not presume to know the answers to all of our current problems, and I'm sure Mr. Johnson would agree he doesn't either. However, his idea that the Democrats are apparently the cause of all of them certainly begs rebuttal.

His statement that Democrats won't compromise may be true to a point, but the GOP is being dragged down by that same attitude by their tea party members, who are supporting candidates in several states currently promising never to compromise with the Democrats, and have voted out the moderates of their party like Dick Lugar.

President Barack Obama, during the debate regarding the Affordable Care Act, begged GOP members to meet with them and make suggestions. Several times. They refused to do so, even though the plan had several elements put forward by the GOP in the '90s during the Clinton health-care debate.

And yes, I would like to see the people who made out like bandits during the bailout pay extra in taxes, since they put our economy in a tailspin, but received millions of dollars in bonuses. Even many of the 1 percent have come out and supported an increase in their tax bracket, so if they are for it, I don't understand the problem from those of us making significantly less.

I believe "the pot calling the kettle black" would accurately summarize Mr. Johnson's letter, but I hope that some degree of mutual respect can be found between the members of the two main parties so they can govern for the benefit of all of us.

Ralph Smith

Decatur

Thank you for Relay generosity

To The Daily: As staff partner for Morgan County and the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Decatur, I would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support. Fifty-seven teams joined in this year's Relay For Life and raised more than $500,000 to help save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

This makes the Relay For Life of Decatur the No. 1 event in the state of Alabama and the Mid-South Division (six states). What a phenomenal accomplishment for our community. More than 200 survivors walked the opening lap and inspired those battling cancer.

I also thank the many Relay For Life volunteers, committee members, teams and sponsors for their support.

As a native of Morgan County, I am always in awe at the outpouring of support from this community. The American Cancer Society is one of many nonprofit organizations in our community and yet here we stand.

With heartfelt thanks,

Beth Tutwiler

American Cancer Society Senior Development Representative