President Can’t Get a Break on Energy Plans

Re “Bush Plan to Tackle Energy Costs’ ‘Root Causes,’ Officials Say,” April 27: Whether I agree or disagree with President Bush’s plan for building nuclear power plants and converting old military bases to oil refineries, the fact remains that none of this helps gas prices in the short term.

There is no interest in conservation or high mileage standards on vehicles, nor is there investment in the development of alternate sources of energy -- ones that don’t generate toxic radioactive waste.

This plan is nothing but a sweet deal to the nuclear and petroleum industries and a raspberry to the consumer.

If the proposal to eliminate funding for Amtrak goes through, the loss of rail transportation will also hurt the consumer. But I think it’s been plainly shown before that both Bush I and Bush II have a much greater interest in the wealthy than in the workers.

Les Hartzman

Sherman Oaks

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Re “Costly Oil a Peril, Bush Tells Saudis,” April 26: How pathetic to see the leader of the free world begging the Saudi prince for a price break on oil prices.

On the one hand, he talks tough and attacks Iraq, then has to beg for cheaper oil when his imperialistic plan to use Iraq’s natural resources backfires.

Maybe he should beg the Saudis to turn over Osama bin Laden. That would be worth an extra dollar at the pumps.

Tim Ellis

Thousand Oaks