‘Era of Openness for County GOP’

Re the Feb. 3 opinion piece, “Era of Openness for County GOP,” by County Republican Party Chairman Thomas Fuentes:

Fuentes and the GOP are to be congratulated for their respective victories. The current Administration is especially to be commended for its achievements in reducing inflation, increasing the credibility of the U.S. abroad, and for the passage of a long overdue comprehensive crime control bill. It is conceded that Orange County has long been a bulwark of conservatism.

Fuentes, however, tends to exaggerate the appeal of the GOP. In an effort to convince us that the Republican Party now appeals to non-traditional party members, he proceeds to make statements that are not justified by the record.

A recent study found that, under the GOP, families earning less than $12,000 a year lost 4.1% of their income between 1980-1984 while those earning more than $45,000 gained 1.6% during the same period.

The Administration’s proposed ‘85-’86 budget calls for a $29-billion increase in defense and a $39-billion cut in domestic programs. These cuts will significantly affect those least able to afford it and include higher monthly payments by the elderly for Medicare and sharp reductions in student loans. Black unemployment remains high at 14.9%; it’s 10.6% for Latinos, 7.3% for whites.

Public opinion surveys indicate that the majority of Americans do not support the GOP’s “family life issue.”

The current GOP Administration supported, in court, the continuation of Federal Tax Credits for a private Southern College that refused admission to blacks and other minorities.

Fuentes’ comments suggest that Democrats are anti-family, pro-crime and anti-tax reforms. Further, he seems to imply we Democrats are somehow less patriotic because we do not share his view of the world.

Although we do disagree on philosophy and method, such disagreements need not suggest an un-Americanism. Fuentes would be well-advised to keep his perspective in focus. A review of the record clearly shows the GOP is not the party of “all” segments--neither in Orange County nor in the United States.

MIKE FUENTES

Santa Ana

Mike Fuentes is not related to Thomas Fuentes.