Letter: With solutions ignored, dissent is all that’s left

Sunday, May 14, 2006 | 7:15 a.m.

In calling for Democrats to provide solutions rather than dissent in his May 11 letter, conservative writer Peter Sams ignores the fact the Republicans control the White House and Congress and seldom consult with the Democrats on issues.

Democrats have suggested for decades solutions to the energy issue, calling for higher mileage on vehicles and the development of renewable energy such as wind farms and solar power, only to have the GOP-controlled Congress defeat their bills, calling them "tree huggers."

The Republicans gave tax breaks to the oil industry, which as we know is now making record profits. Only now is President Bush calling for higher mileage for vehicles, whereas before it was anything goes.

We can look at the Iraq war, which the Bush administration is now admitting was started based on faulty intelligence, or the tax cuts that have led to a national debt approaching $9 trillion, when it was $5.8 trillion when President Clinton left office.

The Democrats can offer solutions, but it should be clear to all that the Republicans aren't listening. With President Bush, it's his way or the highway.

Richard J. Mundy, Las Vegas