So much for putting the 90s in the rear-view mirror.

I mistakenly turned on Fox News a couple of days ago long enough to hear one of their nattering nabobs of negativism boldly predict that the current 9.7 percent national unemployment rate would be the undoing of the Democratic majority in Congress this fall.

“Have you noticed all the new huge trucks and sport utility vehicles the automakers are bringing out? Five or six years from now, all the dealers will get extra rich again on the new Cash for Clunkers that Congress will pass. Yippee!”

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and comments may be edited for clarity and length.

 Take a look at some of November's best shots from the Tribune's photographers.Take a look at some of November's best shots from the Tribune's photographers.

“The reason the amount of students is declining at (Mesa Community College) is costs, including gas. It’s also that the professors don’t care about students, and classes are full and students can’t get into them because they don’t offer enough sections.”

“The children killed by their father in Chandler, I blame the courts for those deaths, to let those children even be with him when he was so emotionally unstable.”

“To the person who does not want children who are not vaccinated to attend public schools (Vent, Saturday), I would ask if your children are vaccinated, how are they put at risk? Do you not believe that the vaccines really work?

“Mike Tyson got 24 hours jail time? That sure is a joke. Is the judge afraid, or is it the money?”

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

“On the permanent voting list detailed information I received today, it lists a probable election date as the 'ninth Tuesday before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.’ Guess I won’t vote in that election because I sure can’t figure out when it will be held.”

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

“Nice try with the article headline, 'Public split on illegals enforcement,’ (Tribune, Tuesday), and the total of the poll is 58 percent for, 32 percent not in favor and 10 percent undecided. Sounds like almost a 2-1 to margin there, people.”

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

“It just amazes me that the Eagle’s Aerie School has the audacity to think it can provide any (fire) protection for its children (Tribune, Monday). Great, you can get the kids out of the building in 30 seconds. But that’s not what’s going to happen. Some kid is going to get hurt falling off of the playground equipment, falling out of a tree, falling off of his desk and who’s going to be able to respond then? Nobody.”

“I wish the Vent would print something more worth printing regarding people like Rev. (Cerflo) Dollar’s chapel in Georgia, and how can they justify owning Rolls-Royces and living in multi-million dollar mansions and having their own private jets. I wish Congress would crack down on these people.”

“The Gilbert teacher who was basically forced to resign for doing a cheerleading dance in front of her class, I hope the parents of those people who complained, none of their kids ever attend a football game. How ridiculous in this day and age.”

“The winter visitors can shop at five stores in the Apache Junction area: Bashas’, Safeway, Food (City), Wal-Mart, Fry’s. Throw in Superstition Veggie Market and the 99 cent store. If they’ve got the money, honey, they’ll be able to eat.”

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

“Our Suns are a great team. We’re so lucky to have such a class bunch of guys. They deserve our support and cheering at games, win or lose. Stay at home if you want to sit on your hands. Way to go, (coach Mike) D’Antoni.”

“We want to thank (Gov.) Napolitano and DPS for photo radars around the state. Thanks for ruining the driving of motorists and hope you make a bundle of money.”

“Black Friday shoppers will never learn. Even a dumb fish doesn’t always take the bait. You are lured with a few, low-quantity sale items and end up buying what you did not want.”

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

“Shame on these people trying to recall (Joe) Arpaio and (Andrew) Thomas. What kind of Americans are they? They are the only ones trying to do something about the illegal immigration problem. Arpaio and Thomas are doing their jobs.”