Letter: Better indeed

Editor, Daily News:

In D.A. Baumgartner's letter of June 10, he complains that President Bush's critics offer no alternatives and prefer to do "nothing." He correctly identifies the following Bush policy failures, but is wrong to think there are not better solutions.

War on terror: Had Vice President Cheney and Bush not diverted our resources from fighting the terrorists to invade Iraq, we would be safer and in a stronger position to deal with Iran and other threats.

Social Security: Doing nothing would be better than the Bush privatization plan which ultimately would fix Social Security by eliminating it. Means testing, increasing retirement age and wiser spending priorities are solutions that do not destroy the system.

Gas prices: Alternative energy sources, higher fuel economy standards and conservation would help. Removing gas taxes would be counterproductive, increasing demand and eventually prices.

Immigration: Bush has actually suggested a reasonable policy, but contrary to Baumgartner's assertions, it is his own party that is blocking progress.

The economy: The previous administration left a $127 billion budget surplus. Bush has never vetoed a spending bill, and his deficit spending has pushed the national debt to over $8 trillion which will cripple our nation for the foreseeable future.

Congress: Our representatives have failed to adequately implement the 9/11 commission's recommendations to make America safer. They have failed to hold this administration accountable for disregarding U.S. and international law. Replace them.

Supporters of the current administration have resorted to disparaging the opposition because it is difficult to defend their performance.

Robert Fulton , Naples and Boulder Junction, Wis.