Bush’s Second Term -- How Horrible Can It Be?

Re “Relax, Democrats -- It Won’t Be That Horrible,” Commentary, Nov. 11: I would like to believe Margaret Carlson’s reassurances that the radical right will somehow implode and splinter under the realities that will accompany governing the country.

Unfortunately, there are many examples throughout history of the ship going down with the captain.

Some unpleasant possibilities are that this administration becomes increasingly radical until it finally crashes and burns, like the Nazis, or that it leads our democracy into a slow deterioration until it resembles an oligarchy/plutocracy or something like the Saudi Arabian style of government.

Josh Millstein

Los Angeles

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Carlson’s article reflects the epitome of why the Democrats lost. There are three reasons: obstructionism, negativism and distortions. No new ideas are emanating from that side.

Carlson is the perfect example of why the Democratic Party continues to flounder. She can only spew what is wrong with GOP proposals such as No Child Left Behind, Social Security reform and the war in Iraq.

She states Paul Bremer admitted we sent too few troops to Iraq. But she fails to mention Bremer’s remarks published in the International Herald Tribune (Oct. 9) that “the press has been curiously reluctant to report my constant support for the president’s strategy in Iraq.”

Carlson speaks about the right-wing faction of the Republican Party. But the Democrats have been captured by the radical left, Michael Moore wing.

She assumes that the GOP will “make choices that splinter its coalition.” The president captured a majority of the vote (first time in 16 years), and the Republicans increased their hold on Congress.

With all this said and all due respect, I think hers is the party that has splintered.

Peter J. Demetralis

Los Angeles