Letter: A lot riding on Nov. 2 election

Wednesday, March 31, 2004 | 9:01 a.m.

Whether most Americans are aware of it or not, there is a lot at stake for "we the people" on Nov. 2.

We have a right-leaning U.S. Supreme Court that defied the will of a majority of voters by short-circuiting the ballot process and appointing George W. Bush president in spite of his losing the popular vote by 550,000 votes to Al Gore.

We have Attorney General John Ashcroft, who feels that he is above the U.S. Constitution and has no qualms about stepping on our constitutional rights in the name of fighting terrorism.

We have a president, who by the power and money of his dynasty family, avoided the Vietnam War by hiding out in the Air National Guard and then even failed to serve out his full obligation.

We have a president who understated the cost of his Medicare revisions.

We have a president who is using 9-ll in his campaign ads.

We have a president who is trying to besmirch the war record of his opponent who served the country in Vietnam and has three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star.

We have a president who has angered the entire Muslim world by his cowboy unilateralism in attacking a sovereign nation that did not attack us.

Yes, fellow Americans, there is a lot at stake on Nov. 2.

JAMES J. POUPARD