Pat Buchanan
Pat Buchanan is as much the target (as he is an alleged source) of a real rising specter of intolerance. Cross into the forbidden zone and address the issues of soaring welfare costs, the tidal wave of illegal immigration and the pernicious discrimination of racial preference programs, and certain consequences are likely to follow.
If not bludgeoned with the R-word itself, you stand the excellent chance of being branded a purveyor of code words for racism. Meanwhile, public debate will have been stifled in a way that would have brought a smile to the face of the late Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin.
ALAN BENSON
Newbury Park
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
