Letter: Democrats have turned into Republicans

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002 | 8:59 a.m.

If they waddle like ducks and quack like ducks, they are ducks!

The present Democratic leaders, who were elected in good faith, have obviously become horrendous ultra-conservative, right-wing Republicans.

Our Democratic Party is invisible. Despite obnoxious Republican boasting, the latest disastrous election was in no way a mandate. For the first time in their lives, millions of angry Democrats failed to vote.

Lifelong loyal Democrats watched in disbelief (well before 9-11) as most of our leaders meekly sat on their rears as an appointed administration destroyed President Clinton's sterling economy, surplus, and doubled the budget deficit. Where was the outrage? Their silence was still deafening as huge tax cuts were awarded to only the wealthy, Social Security was threatened and Medicare benefits were drastically reduced.

Everything that our great President Franklin Roosevelt and other true Democrats had fought so hard for -- to protect working, retired and disabled non-millionaire Americans and their children from the greedy Republican agenda -- was placed in jeopardy.

If our representatives do not soon begin to fight Republican injustices, it is a certainty that millions of Democrats will vote en masse in 2004 for Ralph Nader's very honorable Green Party, or even for the fearless Mr. Pat Buchanan! At least these are courageous, principled, genuine leaders who care deeply for average Americans, respect Social Security and Medicare, and strongly oppose the latest unprovoked, revengeful Bush war.

Shame on our present "Democratic" leaders. Wimpiness is not a virtue.

RUTH DI MAGGIO