Politics of the Ins and Outs

Re “Democrats Split Again Over Party’s Agenda” (Jan. 2): Ronald Brownstein may be interested in the internal strife of the Democratic Party, but I’m much more interested in the blog burbles I’m hearing about a possible takeover of the Republican Party by the likes of your current governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

On top of that, I see that Christie Todd Whitman just released a combatively titled book, “It’s My Party, Too. Taking Back the Republican Party -- and Bringing the Country Together Again.” Rather than spend energy on obscure Democratic political operatives, wouldn’t it be more interesting for your reporters to investigate the possibility that the GOP may put the first woman in the White House -- as vice president to the first foreign-born president in U.S. history?

I can’t imagine that the right end of the Republican spectrum is relishing any of these natterings. Nevertheless, speaking as a recently unaffiliated former Democrat, I think all educated voters would enjoy equal-opportunity discussion of intraparty conflict on both sides of the aisle.

Patricia Taylor

Westport, Conn.

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Much ink has been spent over what the Democratic Party should do to gain a majority -- for the presidency or Congress. I suggest, instead, that we look at Republican assumptions about their power. The Republican Party wants to rule the U.S. as a one-party state. See, for example, attempts to eliminate filibuster rules, resubmission of rejected judicial nominations, yet again seeking to despoil arctic wilderness for profit, and replacing scientists with ideologues. Media outlets reinforce this one-party statism by coloring entire states red or blue -- thus belying the real diversity of voters/parties/ideas and ideologies within each precinct.

The problem with the Democrats is that they believe humans are capable of working together for goods greater than the mere individual -- despite real differences. This assumes that human beings are capable of listening to arguments, weighing facts, challenging preconceptions and changing policies based upon the better argument. Such a system admits that human beings shape our public, democratic “values” together and thus requires diversity, dissent and critical humility in order to aim for the best public good.

Though Democrats seek to understand differences, work together and make policy for the benefit of all, Republicans seem to want to destroy the very competition that helps to foster truth-finding in order to build their one-party state. I thought Republicans vilified the Soviet Union for this very reason.

Suzanne T. Reading

Crestline

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Re “America’s Endless Culture Wars” (Commentary, Jan. 2): I’m getting mighty sick of reading commentators describing the political left wing in America as a bunch of valueless hedonists. This couldn’t be more wrong -- I and many people I know on the political left believe passionately in helping people in need, helping the sick, dealing with people honestly and honorably, forgiving mistakes and giving another chance, taking care of the world we live in, and resorting to killing people only as the very last act of self-defense.

Contrast that with the current political landscape dominated by the right in which every last dime is squeezed out of programs for the poor and sick, people are thrown in jail for years for petty crimes, and to speak out against the war in Iraq or the execution of criminals is political suicide. And just because we don’t necessarily derive our values from the Bible (though many liberals do) or any other religious texts doesn’t mean that we don’t have them, or that they’re trivial or passing fads.

Ironically, we on the left embody the values of Christ more than the right, among whom Christianity has degenerated into nothing but Old Testament sexual morality, which they smugly call “moral values.” Well, I’ll proudly match my values with theirs any day.

Alex Murray

Altadena

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The Democratic Party leaders need to re-listen to Howard Dean’s message. Embrace the young voters! Organize around the “Meet Up” concept. Keep people together, as only together can we change the direction in which our country is going. Most of all, the Democratic Party needs young people, their enthusiasm and their ideas. The Democratic Party says it represents individuals, the elderly, small business owners, the young working class -- now it needs to prove it.

Lynda Merrill

Morro Bay