Letters: Nov. 6, 2006

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The End of an Era?

Ronald Reagan's Republican revolution vowed fiscal restraint, national security and morality. Today's G.O.P. has brought heavy spending, an apparent spawning ground for terrorists and a sex scandal. Readers debated the party's fortunes and whether our cover image captured its predicament

Your cover image was an apt metaphor for the governing style of the Republican majority in Congress [Oct. 16]. Its members have bullied, lied, changed rules, twisted arms and done everything possible to retain power, without consideration for the minority Democrats or the nation as a whole. The G.O.P. has violated the principles it once stood for--especially fiscal conservatism--and now stands only for clinging to power.

BARBARA STEPHENS

McLean, Va.

The cover photo was insulting and confirmed TIME's bias against the Republican Party. Granted, the G.O.P. hasn't done itself proud recently. The overspending and lobbyists' activities have been demoralizing. But when Democrats have erred, has TIME ever expressed such contempt? Republicans may regret their party's mistakes, but they shouldn't abandon it.

BARBARA MACDONALD

Winnetka, Ill.

I remember a few years ago, when President Bill Clinton was found guilty of "inappropriate behavior" and lying about it, we were told that character is not what matters, only how well a person does his or her job. I guess that's only true if you're a Democrat.

VETA LASATER

Independence, Mo.

The Republicans impeached Clinton over a sex scandal. Now they are saying the Mark Foley fiasco is the result of a Democratic conspiracy. They are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites.

NANCY REEVES

Kirkwood, Mo.

Let's face it:  There is no true leadership in this country, Republican or Democratic. Our elected officials operate at the basest level of power politics and skewer one another whenever necessary. And they call themselves Christian!

ELIZABETH HOOPER

Duluth, Ga.

Although I'm hoping the midterm elections will spell the end of the corrupt Republican regime, I'm disheartened by the cause of the party's downfall, distasteful as it is. The end will not have been brought about by stolen elections, an unprovoked and disastrous war breeding more terrorism or a dangerous and ballooning federal deficit. It's curious that Republicans might be toppled by the Foley fiasco. Seemingly, only a sex scandal can make voters take notice.

JUDY MATYSIK

Minneapolis, Minn.

I object to your using an elephant's backside to illustrate the Republican Party's fall from grace. It was insulting to elephants, which are intelligent, sensitive and compassionate creatures. A better symbol for the G.O.P. might be the hyena. Opportunistic, hunting alone or in packs, it is ruthless and cunning. I'm confident that this proposed G.O.P. mascot could not possibly offend anyone except, perhaps, hyenas.

SARASVATI PANCIERA

Granby, Conn.

Sex and Civil Rights