To the editor:

Another year has arrived and the president is hard at work on another State of the Union address. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he decided to make a truly positive mark on history? He has the power to make just a few commitments that could change the world. He could say:

¢ We renounce once and for all the possibility of using nuclear weapons, and we unilaterally will destroy ours; or at least 95 percent of them for starters.

¢ We renounce the use of land mines, which continue to kill and maim innocent civilians years after fighting is over.

¢ We will join the effort to control global warming with all our resources. We can and will preserve the world for our grandchildren even though it will be expensive in the short run.

¢ We will lead the world in finding ways to reduce our use of oil rather than simply looking for new sources and depending on foreign ones.

¢ We will be guided in all matters not just by the law but by the intent of the law. We will lead the world to freedom and democracy by example, not by force.

¢ All Americans must have adequate health care, and we will begin immediately open discussion of all those involved to find a system that works.

I would forgive Mr. Bush a lot of mistakes if he would do these things. I also would be pleased if someone from the loyal opposition would step forward, risk not getting re-elected and commit to these positions and more.

Joe Douglas,

Lawrence