Polls Don't Reflect the Views of People Who Distrust
Poll-Takers
In the Opinion page column "Can We Trust the Polls?," Oct. 15, the author omits one class of voters from his list: Those unwilling to share their views with anonymous poll-takers. These pollsters are the disembodied voices who present no credentials and are unwilling or unable to tell us how the information will be used. Not all polls are equally scientific; not all pollsters are equally scrupulous. There is no assurance of confidentiality. To the standard list of responses should be added one more: vote r unwilling to give up his or her right to privacy. Jill S. Buckley, Socorro, N.M. Four more years
The presidential debates have clearly demonstrated that President Bush is the only candidate prepared to make the necessary changes to reform the United States political system. The other presidential candidates' programs would destroy the economy. One would lead us toward socialism; the other would drastically increase taxes. American industry needed to restructure, and it has gone through this difficult phase and is now able to compete in the world markets, thus providing a stronger job base.
Mr. Bush understands that the American people want change, and he has proposed major structural changes to the political system. His comprehensive reform package - term limits for members of Congress, the adoption of a line-item veto, and a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget - is exemplary. The real question in this election is not whether we have courage to change, but whether we have the wisdom to make the right change. Bush has mapped a wise course of political reform that will be good for our children and will maintain our leadership in the free world. Paul H. Smucker, Orrville, Ohio Chairman, J. M. Smucker Company Voting for an ideal
Regarding the Opinion page column "Can the `Conservative' Bush Hold Onto GOP Moderates?," Oct. 20: I have been angered and baffled by President Bush's alliance with the Christian evangelical movement, led by Pat Robertson, and all that it stands for.
The author states, "... I've come to believe that [Mr. Bush] really isn't an ideologue. He's always said that he's a pragmatist, looking for good answers wherever they may come from." Without a clear ideal we flounder. I now have the solution to my quandary in this election year. I will cast my vote pragmatically for an ideal I can back, not for a person. To my mind Ross Perot has best defined that ideal. Sally Mann, Seattle Perot and the media
Ross Perot's criticism is valid. The media just do not get it. There is a revolution going on in America. The $4 trillion debt was created by the Democrats, the Republicans, the Congress, and by politicians who have elevated misleading the public to an art form.
Enter Mr. Perot. He explains our nation's problems in an acute and understandable manner. Perot has specific, realistic solutions to eliminate the debt. On those issues where he is not specific, he will ask the American people what he should do as their president. This is 21st century democracy.
How do we get to this point? Electing Perot as our next president is part of the solution. Matthew Cude, West Linn, Ore.
