Furor Over Flip-Flops, 527s and False Memos

Irwin M. Stelzer’s “Who’s Better in the Driver’s Seat?” (Opinion, Sept. 19) would have us vote for John Kerry if we “believe that history repeats itself,” but for President Bush if we “believe that lower tax rates stimulate growth and antipathy to governmental regulation is crucial to a successful economy.”

I suppose he thinks that the savings and loan bailout in the 1980s, the electricity distribution crisis in the 2000s and the trashing of environmental regulations by Bush were just necessary evils to aid corporations. Republicans always believe that lower tax rates are the answer to all problems, but President Clinton raised tax rates and had the longest economic boom in decades.

Bill Klenk

Long Beach

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So the polls show that Bush’s tough rhetoric on the war on terror allows women voters to feel more secure (Sept. 18). Not this woman! He has created a world in which the U.S. is in its most vulnerable position ever. And he and his cohorts milk the fear of the American people daily. What happened to President Franklin Roosevelt’s admonition, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”?

Claire K. McDonald

Pomona

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Kerry, via his speeches, is once again giving aid and comfort to our enemies, just as Lt. Kerry did in his testimony before the U.S. Senate more than 30 years ago. There is a word in the dictionary that describes those that give aid and comfort to enemies. The word begins with T.

George Paulikas

Palos Verdes Estates

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Vice President Dick Cheney has introduced an interesting device of campaign rhetoric, which is to label opponents’ criticisms as “changes of position.” It works like this: Bush commits Iraq blunder; Kerry criticizes Bush; Cheney claims Kerry has changed his position.

In Cheneythink, the more Bush blunders, the more Kerry flip-flops, which is all good for Bush. No wonder the blunders are coming almost daily.

Edwin McBride

Long Beach

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It’s about time Kerry is becoming more definitive in what he’s been saying all along. How dare Bush respond by accusing Kerry of flip-flopping! Here’s what Bush has flip-flopped on: First he’s against using the Social Security trust fund, now he’s for it. First he says he’ll lobby OPEC to lower prices, now he won’t. First he says gay marriage is a state issue, now he wants a federal amendment against it. First he says he’ll bring Osama bin Laden to justice, now.... Need I go on?

Shelby Grimm

Burbank

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Do you ever wonder why passionate moderates find your editorials so frustrating? The Sept. 22 editorial on “The Loophole Peddlers” suggested, rightfully, that the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are a great example of how these 527 groups are out promoting their political agendas and advancing their rights to “free” speech. I can understand your frustration. However, I believe it must simply be because some 527s present a negative insight on your politics and on John Kerry. If not, what about [financier] George Soros’ millions to the “I hate George Bush” 527 MoveOn organization?

If you really were upset about the 527 “free speech” movement, how come Soros’ and other radical-left 527 groups avoided your editorial disgust? It is hard to take your 527 protest seriously when you’re so blatant in your myopic frustration. Be disgusted by all the 527s, and we passionate moderates might then take you seriously.

Tom C. Stickel

Coronado

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Why are so many obsessed with false memos that tell the truth, instead of our false president who doesn’t?

Tammi Hull

Woodinville, Wash.