• Image makeover won’t impress voters

I had to respond to the love letter written by Bob McAlister (“Recognizing the Speaker,” Aug. 7) concerning Speaker of the House David Wilkins. This is yet another transparent attempt to bolster the image of an obstructionist and unproductive Legislature — a body that stubbornly refuses to pass meaningful reforms in order to show the governor who’s boss.

I have news for Mr. Wilkins and his ilk on both sides of the aisle: We as citizens are the boss, and if you continue to protect the status quo, you’ll find yourselves out of a job. Talking the talk won’t get it done, as Rep. Rick Quinn recently learned. All of his talk concerning tax reform was soundly rejected by voters who finally tired of his chronic inaction and meaningless rhetoric.

Gov. Mark Sanford has excelled at outing these clowns in tailored suits; we, as voters, have a duty to follow up by electing legislators who are more concerned with doing the job rather than protecting turf. After all, their “turf” is funded at our expense.

BARRY STROUP

Blythewood

• Some officials should be hired, not elected

I wholeheartedly support your editorial of July 17 regarding appointing some government officials and likewise disagree with George Fickling’s Aug. 2 letter, “Public should not relinquish right to elect officials.”

I thought the same thing when I moved here and became a registered voter: Why are individuals voting for clerk of court, auditor and treasurer? We don’t vote for the assessor, the building and zoning director or the county administrator.

Shouldn’t these positions be filled by a person who meets or exceeds the educational and experience requirements in the job description found in the governmental human resources departments?

By the current method, it is a popularity contest decided by voters (including myself) who have little idea what these positions actually entail.

I join you in urging that these election laws be changed. I would not feel that I had relinquished any rights.

LORRAINE HUBERT

Winnsboro

• Iraq’s future depends on Bush re-election

The future of Iraq lies in the 2004 presidential election. The length of time American troops remain in Iraq shouldn’t be left to chance or leadership changed in midstream.

As an independent voter, I believe that President Bush should be re-elected, and I predict the he will win by a landslide.

BEN SKELTON

West Columbia

• Attacks on Kerry’s service dishonorable

The attacks on John Kerry’s distinguished military record are both dishonest and dishonorable. Republican fellow veteran John McCain has condemned these ads as false and disreputable, likening them to the negative attack ads the Bush campaign ran against him in South Carolina in 2000.

Not one of the veterans in these ads served with John Kerry directly, whereas those veterans who did confirm Kerry’s honorable and heroic service during the war.

The Department of Defense and Congress validated and confirmed Kerry’s military leadership and heroism. These disgruntled veterans are reacting to Kerry’s stance as a Vietnam veteran against the war following his military service, where he was one of many of us baby boomers who were against a war (and war crimes against civilians) that history confirmed as a mistake, and which has analogues to the current pre-emptive war against Iraq.

It is unfortunate that these veterans are allowing themselves to be used and exploited by the Republicans in such dirty politics.

The Bush administration says nothing notable about its candidate, and just slings mud against Kerry and Sen. John Edwards. We need an honest and qualified leader in 2004. Vote for Kerry-Edwards.

ROBERT SHAGAWAT

Garden City

• Slip of the tongue reveals the truth

President Bush declares: “Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country or our people, and neither do we.”

Finally, an unintentional but truthful statement from the president. Was it a Freudian slip?

Consider the following: The war in Iraq has made our country less safe not more as the president insists. Our foreign alliances are in tatters. We need those alliances to fight global terror. We cannot fight the war on terrorism unilaterally. (To his credit, Bush hasn’t blown the British friendship. Yet. A second term might change that.)

And then there are the record budget deficits as we approach the impending baby boomer retirement in a few years. We are not ready for that.

And then there is the environment. Talk about new ways to harm our country.

I hope in November the people will prevent this president from doing any more harm to our country and our people. He has done enough for one president.

J. ARTHUR MINER

Columbia

• Some guidelines for coming elections

With the political season heating up, I offer these 11 guidelines to South Carolina voters.

1. Learn as much as you can about all the candidates.

2. Investigate the candidate platforms.

3. Beware of negative ads that are misleading.

4. Examine proposed plans.

5. Rally friends to vote.

6. Take time to teach your kids about voting.

7. Ask tough questions.

8. Respect all political views.

9. Invite candidates to speak in your community.

10. Arrange public debates.

11. Never lose hope in America.

LUTHER PRYNE

Mount Pleasant