To the editor:

Having resolved to limit my comments on George W., I find myself unable to let Mr. Morris’ letter of Aug. 27 go unanswered. I imagine his assessment resonates with those who share Rush Limbaugh’s views, but I’d like to clarify some of the reasons put forth regarding President Bush’s “fitness to hold public office”:

1) Republicans believe in fiscal responsibility, yet during the Bush administration, a budget surplus turned into the largest deficit in history with no cogent plan for funding education, Social Security, Medicare, etc., all of which will come back to haunt you;

2) “Conservative” policies have become so extreme the current convention is parading moderate speakers while the official Republican platform hidden behind the curtain affirms right-wing extremist positions;

3) Being a Christian in this country was never meant to be the driving force in determining policy and action, which, if you recall, was an important factor in the formation of our government;

4) When told that “the country is under attack,” many of us expect our president to be able to state simply that something came up requiring his attention, and then to get up and find out what happened! This is hardly “running screaming from the building” and doesn’t require seven minutes of contemplation.

Extreme views, both right and left, are useful as a guide to a workable middle ground. George Bush is doing an exceptional job of showing us the far right; the country can’t afford any more time over there.

Lisa Bailey,

Lawrence