Letter: How far will Bush go with newfound power?

Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002 | 9:21 a.m.

People apparently are willing to sacrifice personal freedom in deference to President Bush's desire to pursue anyone who can be related to an "evil empire."

The same citizens are willing to forgo personal benefits, such as medical care, assurance of adequate Social Security benefits and other social programs like day care for low-income working mothers, money for infrastructure issues like maintaining interstate highways, and reducing the national debt, which has the potential to reduce taxes, and a Republican tradition (if we are to believe the rhetoric) of lowering the national debt.

Bush has the authority to command the U.S. military to engage in acts of war, with or without the approval of Congress, and the extent to which he might do that is unclear. Some of us believe that he has such a grand personal grudge against Saddam Hussein, that regardless of what Iraq does, war is inevitable, as well as the massacre of Saddam, his henchmen, and any citizens who have the misfortune of becoming "collateral damage."

There are good reasons to question whom Bush might see as an enemy, and what steps he might be willing to take to gain control of such people. These might include traditional supporters such as NRA members, as well as journalists, social activists and intellectuals, and virtually any group or individual who does not share the Bush vision. Americans have grabbed a "tiger by the tail." What is less clear is when they will realize it.

ERIC STEFIK