Republicans in NYC, etc.

In earlier times, the two major parties had different philosophies and methods, but the same desired end: the betterment of the United States and its citizens in the world community. Today, this seems less the case, and there is an increasingly powerful leftist segment within the Democratic party.

If President Bush takes the necessary and proactive approach delineated by Kristol’s editorial, the Republicans can become a real majority party. By absorbing the remaining Roosevelt-Truman-Jackson Democrats into a GOP coalition, Bush would dramatically alter the political landscape. He would create a party representing the values of a majority of Americans.

Such a domestic realignment should be welcomed wholeheartedly at a time when we, as a nation, are at a crossroads in our destiny.

Douglas R. Turner

Amston, CT

Get Realist

DAVID GELERNTER argues that the United States, because it is now the world’s only superpower, has a moral obligation to overthrow tyrannical governments (“Bush’s Greatness,” Sept. 13).

To be sure, this concept is a radical departure from our past history and has absolutely no constitutional basis. It is also at odds with the “just-war” theory developed in Christian theology over the last 1,600 years, because it would involve the United States military in offensive wars (as opposed to purely defensive wars).

Furthermore, as Gelernter himself hints, there are still limits on the exercise of American power. No matter how tyrannical the Chinese regime may be, for example, America cannot overthrow it without risking self-destruction in a nuclear war. The Marines are not going to storm the beaches of the South China Sea anytime soon.

Gelernter also indirectly disparages those nations that did not support the Iraq operation. This is, unfortunately, characteristic of the Bush administration and its supporters.

The nations of Canada, France, and Germany participated in the war in Afghanistan because they thought it was the right thing to do. They did not join in the Iraq war because they principally disagreed with it.

Adult statesmen can disagree in good faith over the merits of foreign policy. They should not be labeled children for doing so.

In the early 1980s, for that matter, French troops went into Chad to prevent a takeover by the Libyan regime. The French succeeded in their mission. But the United States decided not to participate in that operation.

John Maher

Chicago, IL

New York Strangers

REGARDING MATTHEW CONTINETTI’S “Republican-Americans” (CASUAL, Sept. 13): The intolerance frequently displayed by many liberal Democrats–who, ironically, call Republicans intolerant–never ceases to amaze me.

I am vice president of the New York Young Republican Club–an organization of politically active young professionals (aged 18-40) in the Big Apple. So I have witnessed all kinds of intolerance directed at Republicans. But the jewel in the crown came a few weeks ago when New York hosted the Republican convention.

I worked at the convention as a volunteer. One particular day, my girlfriend and I were heading to Madison Square Garden to begin our shift. We were wearing our volunteer polo shirts adorned with the RNC 2004 logo. To be sure, we were not necessarily incognito (as New York City liberals prefer Republicans to be).

As we boarded the subway, a woman behind us noticed our shirts. “You know, you’re not welcome here,” she scoffed. To which my girlfriend appropriately replied: “I live here.” Is this New York City Democrats’ (very unique) idea of tolerance?

Alas, I’ve had many similar experiences over the years. Such is the life of “Republican-Americans” in the Big Apple.

Richard Brownell

Queens, NY

He Said, She Said

I AM SURE Arlington County Manager Ron Carlee would be extremely gratified to know that Andrew Ferguson thinks he is doing a “fantastic” job (“I Can’t Believe I Watched the Whole Thing,” Sept. 13). But I’m not quite sure how he’d feel about Ferguson referring to him as “she.”

Pauline Connole

Alexandria, VA