October 13, 2002

Editor:

Voters, if you think that the political party with the most special interest money will represent your interests best after the next election, by all means, vote Republican. If the serious economic slump is to your liking, vote Republican. If large budget deficits are a good thing for you and for our nation, vote Republican. If you have no problem with dirty tricks and negative campaigning - such as that recently levied against our State Senator, Jim Isgar - vote Republican.

If, however, you want to reduce the roll that big money plays, and if you want political leaders that will effectively address the economic slump and the budget deficits, vote Democratic; and, in doing so, you will deliver a "body slam" to dirty tricks and negative campaigning.

I seldom vote only for Democratic candidates. But, this year, I feel the reasons for voting for Democrats are clear and compelling. Since the United States Congress did not give voters full and effective campaign reform, the voters can "legislate" their own reform in the place where it really counts: in the voting booth!

My vote is for: Strickland (US Senate), Heath (Governor), Berckefeldt (US House), Isgar (Colorado Senate), Walter (County Commissioner), and Larson (County Assessor)!

Respectfully, Hal Mansfield