Distinct differences were on display

These two candidates could not be more different.

Hillary is a person who has spent her career in the legal and political arena. Trump has spent his career in real estate.

Both candidates have flaws. Hillary has admitted to mistakes she has made. Luckily, she has not been found to be a person who takes her mistakes lightly.

Donald admits to none of his mistakes and is defensive. He justifies his mistakes and continues to make them over and over again.

There are so many differences between these two people that the only thing they have in common is that they are the major parties’ nominees for president of the United States.

Hillary is thoughtful and smart. She has thoughtful and smart advisers. She will handle the position of president with intelligence and listen to her trusted advisers.

Donald is impulsive and if he is smart, it is not evident to me. He has advisers that are smart but he does not listen to them. He will handle the position of president with the haphazard and blustery manner he has used to run his campaign.

Yes, Hillary is a smart politician, and we want a smart politician to lead the country and protect us from our foes and work with our friends.

Yes, Donald is an experienced businessman and we do not want a businessman to lead this country. He will sell us to the highest bidder. And he may kill us all.

He lost the debate and we must make sure she wins the presidency.

Peggy Bayles

Hoffman Estates

Nothing new in first debate

The first 2016 Presidential Debates set a world’s record for the most people watching (84 million), all wasting the same 90 minutes of their lives.

I learned nothing new, nothing of any substance was said. Neither candidate looked presidential. At various times they both played dirty, and at other times both were either rude, wooden, or foolish.

Of all the important questions that could have been asked, the biggest time waster was when moderator Lester Holt brought up the “birther” issue. It had nothing to do with being president, and was merely a political stunt.

Nothing was asked about The Clinton Foundation issue, or for that matter Benghazi. Why?

Debates like these will not change minds, and the only winners were the network ratings.

Please cancel the remaining debates. Eighty-four million Americans have far more important things to do with their time.

Brent Jessee

Hoffman Estates

Politics suffering in 24-hour news age

I truly wonder what our political climate, rhetoric, and interactions would be like today if we didn’t have 24-hour news and opinion programing, instant and unfiltered online comments, polls, and political pundits that are accepted by some as reporters.

Would we be better able to know fact from opinion? Would we be better able to discuss positions rationally without judgment, name calling, and without having to prove patriotism? Would we be better able to find solutions rather than drawing lines in the sand?

I truly miss the days of compromise, respect, and working together for the good of all.

Cathy McQuillan

Arlington Heights