GOP rhetoric raises some unanswered questions

To the editor;

I just finished listening to the Republican National Convention coverage and the various speeches leading up to that of vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

However, the boosterism and rhetoric that was applauded by those on the convention center floor leaves many unanswered questions.

Two "promises" that were made particularly defy logic. The first was that oil drilling in Alaska will somehow reduce greenhouse gasses. Oil, wherever it comes from, will only add to what must be the biggest crisis facing mankind -- global warming. Make no mistake -- the evidence of global warming is now irrefutable. It may be painful to accept, but returning to $2 a gallon gas would be an environmental disaster.

But the biggest challenge to logic was the well-worn promise to reduce taxes. Reduce taxes for everyone. And balance the budget by 2013. Impossible! If you are willing to allow the country to continue to sink into debt, mortgaging your children's and grandchildren's futures, then vote for whoever promises the biggest tax cuts. But do not remotely expect the budget to be balanced.

Isn't it time to demand that our candidates deal honestly with the public and propose solutions to the real problems rather than pandering for votes by irresponsibly promising lower taxes and returning to the good old days of cheap gas?

Let's put the long-term good of the country -- and the world -- to the forefront in the November election. Demand better than what has been proposed.

PETER GORDON, Cape Girardeau