'LESS INTRUSIVE' ARE CODE WORDS

Chuck Couglin disagreed with Sunday's Viewpoints article "Here come
the Democrats" (which predicted a Democratic majority by decade's end)
by repeating the Republicans' belief in "a benign, less intrusive
government."

If that's true, the Bush administration sure doesn't act like
it.

Attorney General John Ashcroft has legally attacked states like Oregon
whose voters (twice) passed right-to-die-with-dignity laws, and
California, whose voters approved doctor-prescribed medical marijuana.

Republicans also continue the draconian drug laws, which cost
taxpayers millions that could be better spent elsewhere.

"Less intrusive" are code words for no regulation for business wanting
to degrade the environment or hide profits in off-shore companies, but
plenty of intrusion into your medical treatment or other personal
business.

ELAINE McKENNA

Phoenix