California Primary

Regarding “Good News: The Political Middle Still Holds the Power” (editorial, March 28), other interpretations can be found. As The Times noted, this election saw a record-low turnout. People who voted may have had some overriding issue that interested them, which is not shared by the general voting public, and will not influence the vote in November.

Sen. Bob Dole’s appeal to moderate Republicans is hardly surprising. His campaign has been directed toward those voters, and in fact his record has always been moderate. The moderate Republican voter is unlikely to switch in the fall election.

But what about the people who voted for Ross Perot in 1992? Certainly Pat Buchanan has captured some of these people; however, they are the far right in the Republican Party, and can hardly be considered a majority. What will the rest of these former Perot voters do? It is unlikely that they will cross over to vote for Bill Clinton. However, a third party is a real threat to Republican chances to capture the White House. It appears that the number of people upset with government has increased since the 1992 election. These are the things that the Dole campaign is now considering.

SION COLVIN

Woodland Hills

* I am tired of hearing a routine announcement from the secretary of state’s office that a very low turnout is predicted for the next day’s election (March 26). I have complained directly to that office and been told that “it is customary” to make a prediction. Well, custom can be changed. It is high time that responsible journalists and citizens rebelled against this negative self-fulfilling prophecy being imposed on our voting public.

BARBARA L. STATON

Los Angeles

* Low (40%) voter turnout: I do not mind if my vote counts for 2.5 votes; does anyone object?

D. A. PAPANASTASSIOU

Pasadena

* Poor California--we just don’t count! We have no clout in the primary selection process. Voter apathy is high enough without the news “Dole over the top with 1,000 delegates” a week before our primaries.

How about all primaries being held on the same day throughout our country to allow all Americans the opportunity to select the primary winners? As it stands now, Washington believes California is only important as a source of fat tax revenues, palm trees, movie stars and health food stores.

I think we deserve better.

PENNY FRATES

Long Beach

* Dole boasts about his wife’s future role as the first lady: “She won’t be running health care from there either” (March 28). This comment is sickening. Hillary Clinton wanted to do something unselfish for the needy in this country who have been totally disregarded by the establishment. What she tried to do was to bring this country in par with the rest of the First World countries.

When a philosophical visionary such as Hillary Clinton tries to do something good for the working people, such as guaranteed health care, powerful lobbying groups representing the insurance industry and the medical industry that only care about the profits beat her down.

I hope that, come November, people will send a message to these lobbying groups.

INDRAJITH ANDREW WEERARATNE

Los Angeles

* For the sincere Christian the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is paradoxically the most horrific and the most precious moment in human history. As we begin our Holy Week it is this event that most acutely occupies our thoughts and moves our emotions.

Paul Conrad’s March 28 depiction of Dole, crucified and wearing a “Christian Coalition” crown of thorns, shows an appalling lack of sensitivity to the deeply held beliefs and heartfelt feelings of a large segment of your readership. We know that editorial cartoons are supposed to grab our attention; however, the political message in this case was lost under the weight of our grief over the poor timing and insensitivity of the medium.

SAMUEL SCHEIBLER

Dean, Doren Theological

College and Seminary

Fullerton

* Dole, on the one hand, criticizes Hollywood for promoting violent movies in which, after all, actors merely engage in fantasy violence, and then, on the other hand, tries to repeal the ban on automatic weapons, which kill real people. But even though Dole says automatic weapons ought to be readily available, he also declares that it is not high on his agenda, because he knows that the majority of Americans do not agree with him.

The same conflict exists with abortion. He must promise to criminalize abortion in order to be assigned to carry his party’s banner, but he knows that the majority of Americans want access to abortion so he alternately supports one side or the other depending on whom he is addressing.

In California he promised more B-2 bombers, even if the military doesn’t want them, yet is seemingly oblivious to the huge cost which will inflate the deficit that he so much wants to eliminate. Here is a man who wants it both ways. Dole embarrasses himself with his thirst for power, and by embarrassing himself he embarrasses us, because in our hearts we still know that there’s no honor in winning at all costs.

J.L. SINGER