Tim Arsenault

To the editor,

Senator John Kerry was awesome in St. Louis Friday night, proving that he's far better prepared and qualified to lead America during these complex and troubling times. From his grasp of the issues plaguing the war on terror, to his understanding of the economic challenges facing our families, Kerry gave a compelling performance which obviously left the president feeling defensive and angry.

But then, Bush should feel defensive. Since taking office he's turned most of the world against America in a march to a war based on trumped up intelligence crafted to suit his desire to avenge his father.

On the economic front, his performance ranks with that of Herbert Hoover, and like Hoover, he continues to promise us prosperity is just around the corner while millions of Americans fall into poverty and millions of jobs are outsourced by his corporate buddies to India, China, and anywhere else low wages can be paid.

Bush tricked the American people into beleiving he supports public education, he lied about his plans for

social security, he reneged on the promise to provide a patient's bill of rights, and he's raised Medicare costs for the elderly while denying them the opportunity to save money by importing their prescription drugs from Canada.

What I love is hearing him talk about his tax cuts, for even those are a blatant lie. He didn't cut taxes, he simply delayed them. At some point the trillions of dollars in deficits his administration is accumulating are going to have to be repaid. And you know what? That repayment is going to come from taxes. So anyone who believes they received a tax cut is nuts. They merely received a loan extension on the taxes due and eventually either they or their children will have to reach into their pockets to pay back that money.

We need to return America to the sound fiscal policies of the Clinton administration. We need to return America to the sound environmental policies of the Clinton administration. We need to return America to the sound diplomatic policies of the Clinton administration.

America cannot afford four more years of George W. Bush and the Republican party.

Tim Arsenault

Laconia