Democrats Attempt to Revitalize Leadership

Re “As Promised, Kerry Proposes Measure to Add 40,000 Troops,” Feb. 16: Sen. John Kerry’s proposal to increase the military budget $5 billion a year to increase troop levels, as the federal budget deficit is anticipated to be about $400 billion in 2006, reminds me why I didn’t vote for him despite my frustration with President Bush. I am a nonpartisan voter who, although frustrated at the fiscal policies of Bush and his decision to go to war in Iraq, still saw no opposition to these policies coming from the Kerry-Edwards ticket.

Bush said he would cut the deficit by half by 2009, as Kerry also promised. Bush defended the decision to go to war in Iraq, as Kerry also did. What I wanted to hear was that the deficit would be eliminated by 2009, that the cost in life and economy didn’t merit the toppling of Saddam Hussein and that future military engagements would be more closely scrutinized by a Democratic administration.

Kudos to the Democratic National Committee for nominating Howard Dean as chairman, as Democrats may now embark on becoming an opposition party once again. Hopefully through their efforts they can produce a candidate four years from now who will promise us no deficit at the end of his or her term and no involvement of our troops in any more unnecessary wars.

Michael Zacharia

La Mirada

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Michael Ramirez’s depiction of Republicans being elated over Dean becoming the leader of the Democratic Party is an obvious smoke screen to hide the fact that Republicans are afraid of Dean (editorial cartoon, Feb. 12). This plain-talking country doctor from Vermont scares the heck out of Republicans. He’s no-holds barred and could deliver a knockout blow to a party that stuffed George W. Bush down our throats for eight years of enormous blunders. If Dean can articulate this to the average American, Republicans are in trouble. They have good reason to be worried.

Steve Baker

Los Angeles