The Issue: Democrats’ reaction to Mitt Romney’s selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate.

***

As an independent voter, I am encouraged by the selection of House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s running mate (“The Ryan Reaction,” Editorial, Aug. 13).

If elected with a Republican Congress, the United States won’t suffer the same hopeless, Democrat-controlled, economic demise as California.

Ryan has put forth long-overdue budget solutions and real reforms to stop Washington’s monolith of centralized government from sucking the life out of America.

The desperate, demonizing assaults from Obama’s attack team serve as confirmation that the GOP’s dynamic duo is replete with leadership, integrity and character.

They are the right choice for economic recovery and America’s future.

Daniel Jeffs

Apple Valley, Calif.

***

“The Ryan Reaction” is typical of Democrats and full of scare tactics.

One could “end Medicare as we know it” just by changing a few commas in the law.

The Democrats’ plan is to scare voters and leave everything as is, which is to have no plan at all.

Small wonder why every bill that the Harry Reid-controlled Senate doesn’t like just dies there.

And the Democrats accuse the GOP of being obstructionist.

Richard Reay

Bronx

***

This is the most perfect ticket the GOP has presented to America since 1980.

The cornerstone issue of this election is the flaccid economy. Ryan knows how to get a balanced budget through Congress better than anyone in Washington.

He understands our draconian tax code and knows that it needs to be overhauled.

Ryan is a roll-your-sleeves-up worker, not a window mannequin like Vice President Joe Biden.

He is a real, down-to-earth patriot, and when his skills are coupled with Romney’s outstanding executive skills, Americans are going to see our country return to a financial health and political stature that once made us the envy of all the world.

America the Beautiful will be back again.

Tom Cahill

Manhattan

***

Good choice by Romney. Ryan would bring a much-needed youthful presence to the White House.

America needs some “R and R” for a change.

Matt Engel

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

***

Ryan believes that it is critical for our future that we balance the budget and cut our deficit by slashing spending in various areas, especially entitlements.

These policies in particular will resonate with young voters who fear that the deficit that their predecessors have accumulated will impact them negatively when they are older.

There will be a major divide among young and old voters in November. Older voters want to be taken care of with entitlement programs, while younger folks don’t want to pay for it.

Partisan politics and class warfare have divided this nation, but now age will do so.

Ryan was brave enough to take a stance on key issues that impact America, and now Americans should respond accordingly.

Jacob Neumark

Manhattan

***

Democrats have been quick to criticize Ryan’s budget.

As a 22-year-old college student, I realize that it is vital to reform our government and cut spending.

People in my generation will be stuck paying the bill and never have the same opportunities as previous generations.

We need a change before our country ends up bankrupt, like Greece and other European countries.

Difficult decisions must be made before we have nothing left.

It is time to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington, and no one is more likely to do so than Ryan.

Romney made his choice — the only question remaining is how the American people will make theirs.

Ryan Pearsall

East Islip