Candidates

Al Gore thinks he can cure his campaign finance problems by making campaign reform his No. 1 issue. Maybe so. George W. Bush, pandering with greed, thinks he can buy our votes by pushing tax cuts--in spite of the polls that indicate we prefer more fiscally responsible deficit reduction. Could be.

Should we feel manipulated, cynical? Could be, maybe so.

This campaign is going to give new meaning to the word cynic: “anyone who has been paying attention.”

GARY LAKE

Bishop

*

Bush wants to use the surplus to impose a large tax cut because the surplus belongs to the people. Tell me, Gov. Bush, who does the $5-trillion deficit belong to?

STAN GORDON

Encino

*

The primary elections dealt me a bad hand. Jacks or better to open and I come off with an empty suit from Texas and a Tennessee bagman with Asian connections. I fold!

C.H. GULLETT

San Clemente