Molyneux on Democrats

Re “12-Step Program for Recovering Democrats,” by Guy Molyneux, Opinion, Dec. 4: There is much wisdom in Molyneux’s advice to Democrats to admit that they have a problem, to stop defending the past and to take the long-term view. But there is also folly in his exhortations to continue to define the Democratic Party as the party of the middle class and the working people.

Rather than thinking of themselves in bankrupt ideological terms, Democrats should redefine themselves as the party that has:

* The guts to drain the swamp of PACs and special interests in Washington.

* The tenacity to invest in preparing Americans to work and prosper in a global economy.

* The wisdom to adopt policies addressing the causes, not just the symptoms of the country’s social breakdown.

I have no illusions about the fact that in the win-lose game of politics parties must adopt whatever strategies they feel will help them compete for votes. I am only suggesting that courageously addressing core issues may prove to be a better strategy, not only for the Democrats, but for the country as a whole.

PETER B. MOUSSOUROS

West Los Angeles

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Molyneux’s analogy of Democrats as vampires was initially amusing, until I recalled that it is the blood of the middle class being so greedily extracted. I beg Molyneux to refrain from encouraging Democrats in this activity, already one in which they have no peer.

His plan for re-establishing the preeminence of the Democratic Party is both cunning and divisive. First the facts must be carefully reconstructed (i.e., twisted) in order to label the GOP as the “real majority party” for the past 25 years. Then the plan is to fan the flames of public indignation, now so conveniently redirected, for the trespasses of big government by openly encouraging class warfare.

Having deliberately misled the electorate, and then promoted the anger of those he would deceive, the admonition for the Democrats to “face the world honestly” was disingenuous at best. As Molyneux quotes, “the truth can set you free,” but one should first be able to recognize it.

CHERYL SEITZ

Irvine

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McGovern, Carter, Mondale, Dukakis and now Clinton: Until Nov. 8 the Democrats could always be counted on to play the patsy, if not the pawn. With the acerbic rise of (Republicans) Gingrich and Helms, they’ve become the roll-over-and-play-dead gang.

JOHN CRANDELL

Sunland

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Explain this to me--slowly. What’s so bad about big government? Is there something wrong with Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid--all federal programs that save people’s lives every day? How about the FBI and Customs and the armed forces? Can we get along without these organizations?

Is there some argument against the government stepping in to help flood, fire and earthquake victims or safeguarding us from environmental contamination or establishing food and drug standards? Am I being blind in not recognizing that we’d all be better off without these government services? Is there some good that I don’t appreciate in giving up life-sustaining help from Washington? No, I don’t think so.

“Big government” are bugaboo words calculated solely by the Republicans to demonize the Clinton Administration. Repeated often enough, like some mantra, they penetrate the unconscious and deny scrutiny. In truth, they offer absolutely nothing but some undefinable fear. What a shame that so many people have unthinkingly accepted the notion that reduced government contributes to their welfare. And what a sham on the part of the Republicans.

LOU MORHEIM

Los Angeles