Perot Conference

* As one of the 500 Californians who were a part of more than 5,000 United We Stand, America members from all 50 states who attended the conference in Dallas, I can tell you that after listening to nearly 30 politicians and bureaucrats, there is no simple solution to our problems in Washington. Dozens of issue-oriented meetings on Aug. 13 provided attendees the opportunity to express their opinions. After hearing the results of several national polls in which Americans express their distrust of the Washington politicians, we must have a change in direction. Most Americans want less government mandates and more local control of their tax dollars.

Ross Perot has dropped the gauntlet in calling for campaign finance reform, a balanced-budget amendment and term-limits legislation within the next 100 days. If the Republicans want to avoid a repeat of the 1992 Perot candidacy, they must take some serious steps in Congress to show the American people that the “contract with America” was more than a cheap publicity stunt.

BYRON SLATER

San Diego

* The conference in Texas epitomizes the paucity of truly distinguished leadership. The shopworn litanies for our domestic and worldwide salvation read like sophomoric entreaties to the uncomprehending constituents of our citizenry--the PR tautologies of the likes of Clinton, Gore, Dole, Gramm, Jackson, Buchanan, et al.--so filled as they are with hypocrisy, abstraction and warped rectitude.

It is not too early, then, to search for capable alternates and to canvas the perimeters for those not outrightly committed to political ascendancy, with unvacillating thought process and the courage required for executive achievements. Suggested exemplars: Jack Kemp, Colin Powell, Lowell Weicker, Malcolm Forbes Jr. and similar individuals, not just politicians.

DON PERLEY

Yorba Linda