Edward Grevatt

To the editor,

It's time to dust off the old balance scale. Each of the major Democratic presidential candidates weighs in with impressive credentials. The time has come to weigh one against another as we decide who to vote for.

After hearing all and questioning several, on balance I will vote for Howard Dean. Dean is straight talking and persuasively honest. His indictment of President Bush's go-it alone preemptive invasion of Iraq is now seen to have been well founded. Like the boy in the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes," Dean, with characteristic courage based on principle rather than politics, has spoken the truth about the harmful, often secret, future-shaping decisions being made by this administration regarding workers' rights, environmental safeguards, civil liberties, homeland security, public education, and the national debt. On these and other issues Dean has presented clear and reasonable plans for positive action.

I choose Dean because he alone is experienced in the Executive branch of government. While others make claims of what they will do if President, it is Dean who has a record of Executive accomplishrnent. He has proven his ability to work with a legislature (often Republican dominated) to balance budgets, fund public education, increase job opportunities, and expand health care. Thanks to Dr. Dean, over 92 percent of Vermonters have health insurance! His early intervention "Success by Six" program means that now 90 percent of newborns' homes welcome an outreach worker's visit to offer information and parenting skills — Vermont's child and sexual abuse rates have dramatically declined. The scale leans to Dean who cares, understands, advocates, and implements for the well-being of all.

Dean is fervent in his desire when President to lead this country back to valuing the well-being of people in all positions of life, valuing the environment while at the same time stimulating the economy, and showing that ours is a nation that despite our power and size, can be aggressive yet not arrogant in building community among nations.

I believe that Howard Dean can win the White House (TIME Magazine rated him the challenger most likely to win). His financial backing from great numbers of small gift donors testifies to his candidacy being the beginning of taking our country back from the rule of special interests. With Dean the balance has swung to hope, prompting my support.

Edward Grevatt

Gilford