To the editor:

About a year ago, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took a drubbing when all of his conservative ballot initiatives were voted down. The governor almost immediately announced that the people of California had spoken and that he had heard them. He even committed the politically unheard of act of apologizing and proceeded to mend fences in the best interests of all Californians. Tuesday night, he was re-elected.

United States voters have been speaking loudly to President Bush since 2002, demanding a change of course in both domestic and foreign policy. Without fail, he has turned a deaf ear, and Tuesday night the discontent became too loud to muffle. The president has now taken his drubbing and only time will tell if he has the capacity for humility demonstrated by the governor of California. Either way, Mr. Bush, you may now pay the piper. I hope your wallet is thick.

Dick Walker,

Baldwin