Once upon a time, Republicans were good for one thing and one thing only - keeping an eye on the books, making sure that deficits didn't balloon and that the economy didn't overheat.

But under Ronald Reagan, the new generation of Republicans threw down their eyeshades and became warriors of the right. Now, under George W. Bush, any semblance of responsibility has been erased from the party's soul, leaving us with only war (religious, cultural and shooting) and debt.

James Day

Berkeley, Calif., Feb. 14, 2005