Administration is deceptive

To the editor:

Americans should speak out against the pattern of deception employed by the current administration. According to the American Conservative Union, "the president's 2005 budget reveal[s] that the administration is now working with estimates [of Medicare reform] more than 30 percent higher than those it was using to round up congressional support."

A similar tactic is being used with respect to the 2005 Pentagon budget. According to Knight Ridder newspapers, "Noticeably absent from next year's request is money for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. White House budget director Joshua Bolten estimated that another $50 billion would be needed to cover those costs next year.."

A final word of caution comes from Republican John McCain, who was asked on NBC's "The Early Show" if he thought John Kerry's election would compromise national security. McCain replied, "No, I do not believe that he is, quote, weak on defense. ... I think that John Kerry is a good and decent man. I think he has served his country." McCain, who, like Kerry, is a Vietnam veteran, added, "I would certainly hope that we could raise the level of this debate."

At a time when we are hoping to export democracy to the Middle East, it is vital that our own government officials demonstrate their faith in an informed citizenry. We are not children, and we are not stupid. Why not just give us the facts?

IDA DOMAZLICKY

Cape Girardeau