Politics and finger-pointing

Re “Out of steam,” editorial, Nov. 1

Your editorial reflects the truth. The most interesting part is, “Part of the Republican playbook consists once again of conveniently confusing the war in Iraq with the post-9/11 war on terror. The disingenuous formulation remains: Criticize the war in Iraq and you’re a Bin Laden sympathizer.”

It is the same technique used by Third World dictatorial regimes and rulers: They label you as anti-state and a traitor if you oppose government policies. The important question is, how long can politicians fool the most educated and advanced nation in the world?

MEHDI RIZVI

Pickering, Canada

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You mention in your editorial that the only reason why this year’s election is a cliffhanger is a lack of inspiration among the Democrats. There is another, more important reason, and that is the way our country’s electoral structures favor the Republican Party.

Although the Senate contains 55 Republicans and 44 Democrats, those 44 Democrats represent more Americans than the 55 Republicans. Simply put, the Republican Party doesn’t have to capture anything like a popular majority to retain its hold on power.

CHLOE PAJEREK

Rochester, N.Y.

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It took The Times’ editorial page about a week after its Oct. 23 “Our mission” statement of nonpartisan principles to return to a familiar left-wing bent. Whoever wrote the paragraph on Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist must have been foaming at the mouth while penning such terms as “spectacularly opportunistic” and, facetiously, the “good” doctor.

DICK SMITH

Woodland Hills