Civil Rights and Quotas

The hypocritical and self-serving nature of our President is clearly evident in the side-by-side reports of actions by George Bush (Oct. 26). In the first article, Bush is said to be “. . . putting off tax cut decisions” for the middle class. His close advisers, John Sununu and Richard Darman, are described as supporting a tax cut “. . . only if it can be portrayed as more responsible than Democratic proposals.” Are decisions reached based only on political expediency rather than on what is best for the people of this country? I wonder if Bush would put off a tax cut decision if it affected the rich?

The second article describes Bush (finally!) showing willingness to consider a civil rights bill that would benefit minorities and women. Not because he necessarily believes in such rights, but because David Duke’s success in Louisiana and the Clarence Thomas hearings make it politically expedient. And, of course, Bush is always willing to compromise his supposed principles. In this case, his attack on the so-called “quota” issue.

JEANETTE CALNEK, Riverside