The Bush Administration's Iraq policy, like Iraq itself, is in complete disarray. One day, the Administration calls for a timetable, the next day Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki objects to it. One day, our senior military leaders indicate more troops may be needed, the next day the President discounts that option. One day, it's stay the course, the next day it's change the course. It is increasingly clear that the President does not know what to do to stop the escalating violence in Iraq and that his so-called 'National Strategy for Victory in Iraq' has failed.

Not surprisingly, the American people have had enough of this Administration's costly mistakes and politically motivated misstatements. They know it's long past time for the President to admit his plan is not working and to truly change course.

Oh how I yern to stand in the face of the wind,and smell the the sweet flowers of Nevada.And to walk into her vastness after a fresh rain,and reflect on my memories while listening to the wispers of her sounds and silence.

Senator Reid,

I am extremely disappointed in the Democratic leadership's position on Joe Lieberman. I'm sure you are aware of the fact that he is telling the media - and more importantly - Democratic voters in Connecticut, that he will be given his seniority if he wins the election in November. Who has made that promise to him - you?

This is a slap in the face to the Democrats of Connecticut, including myself, who voted overwhelmingly for Ned Lamont. We fired Joe Lieberman - we don't want him to represent us in the Senate going forward.

And yet the Democratic party has allowed, without comment, Joe Lieberman to denounce the Democratic party, wage a nasty campaign against the rightful Democratic nominee, take campaign donations from Republicans and special interests, allow swiftboat groups to run ads for his benefit.

Democrats in Connecticut and around the country are watching this race very closely. Joe Lieberman says he won't forget those in the Democratic Party who recognized his opponent, just because Lamont won the election (he was quoted as being able to forgive but not to forget). Well, we won't forget and we certainly won't forgive the fact that the Democratic leadership has allowed, for the most part, Lieberman to ignore and subvert the rules of the Democratic Party in Connecticut, to satisfy his own ego.

I would also like to ask if it is acceptable or appropriate, considering the unusual nature of the Connecticut race for Senate, for one of your Senate staff members, Leslie Phillips, to write a letter in support of Joe Lieberman for publication in a Connecticut paper, the Hartford Courant. I am outraged that you would allow the authority of your office to, in essence, endorse Senator Lieberman and commend him on the "wonderful" job he's done for Connecticut.

Senator Reid, Senator Schumer, and other so called "Democratic leaders" - have you no regard for the democratic process? What does the Democratic Party stand for? Why even have a party if there is no discipline enforced?

After this election I will be changing my party affiliation from Democrat to Unaffiliated.

Bush Administration statements & reported military plans & troop movements (the Eisenhower Carrier Battle Group's deployment to the Persian Gulf, insertion of covert forces into Iran, quiet consultations with CONSERVATIVE congressmen) suggest that the Administration is planning a massive nuclear attack on Iran's (& now perhaps also North Korea's) nuclear & military facilities before or soon after the November elections WITHOUT THE CONSENT & SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, who certainly would not give it to this discredited Administration - though they might be able to get some sort of endorsement from a Republican "lame duck" congress. I would like to suggest that this foolishness could be deterred NOW by statements from even just a small group of senior Democratic Senators & Representatives (and I believe some senior Republicans would also join such a statement) that ANY military action against Iran or North Korea in the immediate future that is not PURELY defensive would require a Declaration of War from Congress and that any military orders going beyond such pure defense would be illegal would both deter the Administration from such folly and also support our military leaders in refusing such orders if the Administration were to issue them. I have read reports that Colin Powell is already making such statements to military leaders and I believe that other prominent responsible Republican leaders would also respond to such a call for caution & deliberation. I don't believe that passage of a "Sense of Congress" resolution would be necessary - just the assurance that cautious, responsible DEFENSIVE leadership would not go unsupported.

I would appreciate hearing your response to this suggestion, Senator Reid.

Respectfully,
A Concerned Citizen

This Republican Congress has now completely failed the American people. We knew they wouldn't stand up to big drug companies. We knew they wouldn't repeal the tax breaks they gave to big oil. But we did expect them to protect our kids. It is now clear we expected too much of them. They are not up to the job of upholding America's values.

It is not enough for House Republican leaders to work to ensure this disgrace is not repeated in the future. Every parent in America expects them to fully investigate why it was permitted in the first place. The problem today isn't the page program, which has been in existence since the time of Daniel Webster. The problem today is that House Republican leaders had evidence of a sexual predator in their ranks and chose to cover it up instead of choosing to protect these children. What is needed is for Republican leaders to testify under oath about what they knew, when they knew it, and why they didn't properly act.

The voting public has a right to know - What was Hastert told about Foley, and
when? It is very easy information to obtain and to document. Silence and equivocation should be punished by the voters as assuming the worst.

Instead of ranting and raving every day on the campaign trail, President Bush should spend more time on the trail of Osama bin Laden. The American people are tired of the President's empty tough talk. They want leaders who are tough and smart. The President and his Republican Congress have no credibility left, and it's time for a new direction.

President Bush is no longer credible with the American people, no matter how many campaign speeches he gives in the next month. The President won't listen to the 16 intelligence agencies that say that the war in Iraq has made the threat of terrorism worse. His Secretary of State apparently ignored warnings of an Al Qaeda attack months before September 11. His Republican leader in the Senate, Bill Frist, thinks America should empower the Taliban terrorists who aided and abetted Osama bin Laden. The sad truth is this White House and this Republican-controlled Congress have put our national security at risk. It's time for a change. The American people expect more than tough talk from their leaders. They expect tough and smart action. Democrats are fighting to take this country in a new direction.