Bush's `Hands Off' Policy

Regarding the Opinion page column "The Anti-Bush Republicans," Sept. 1: The author displays a nostalgia for the GOP that used to be. He says the GOP has a "hands off" policy, meaning little or no government interference. Yet he mentions three or four basic views held presently by the GOP, which definitely are a hands-on policy.

This hands-on policy or government intrusion will affect the lives of all Americans. This hands-on policy is opposed to the basic principles of freedom of religion and the rights of individual conscience. This hands-on policy will destroy the fabric of a democratic society, which has made America great. Let's face it, the present GOP is not like it used to be. Lynn Howard, Greenwich, Conn. Bush not centrist Republican

Regarding the Opinion page column, "And Now, the Real Race," Aug. 21: I take issue with the author's characterization of President George Bush as a "centrist Republican." He was at one time but certainly not now. He is leaning so far right, I don't see how he can help but fall.

There are reasons why this life-long Republican has just registered as a Democrat: George Bush is anti-environment, anti-choice, anti-public schools, and anti-gun regulation. He has changed positions so many times, who knows what he really stands for. I am going to vote for the "centrist Democrat" Gov. Bill Clinton, who is talking about issues and solutions. Muriel McKean, Sacramento, Calif. Democratic bias

I have fabulously enjoyed the Monitor. I am perplexed, however, at the obvious bias toward the Democratic Party and in particular Gov. Bill Clinton. Opinion page articles such as "Untraditional First-Lady" and "Family Values and Negative Campaigning," Sept. 4, are extremely biased. I have not read one article that depicts President Bush or Vice President Dan Quayle in a good light in several weeks. Mark Nichols, Elgin, S.C.