Letters from readers

There's a difference between Democrats and Republicans

Vern Tromble

Lander

Dave Freudenthal is trying to convince Republicans that he is aconservative guy doing a good job. He implies that he shares mostRepublican values.

How can he when the philosophies of the two major politicalparties are so different?

Secular-humanism is the philosophy of the Democrats. Secularismis a philosophy that won't consider a higher authority. Therefore,ethics, morals, and values can be embraced or rejected at will.

Republican philosophy is based on traditional American Judeo-Christian values. There is a higher authority; there is a specificmoral code that cannot be modified or revised, and there is a rulebook to follow.

In the upcoming gubernatorial election we have a choice: Gov Dave,a Clinton Democrat, committed to secular values; or Ray Hunkins, aReagan Republican, committed to traditional American Judeo-Christianvalues.

Vote your values.

Governor has ducked every issue that required leadership

Christopher G. Adamo

Wheatland

Reports are circulating of "Republican" groups that supportliberal Democrat Gary Trauner for Congress, and liberal Democrat Gov.Dave Freudenthal for a second term.

Many wonder why, in this overwhelmingly "Republican" state,something invariably undermines every effort at even the most minorprotections for Wyoming's families against an increasingly chaoticculture.

Now, that something is rearing its unmasked ugly head. For toomany years, Wyoming's conservatives basked under a false sense ofsecurity, thinking that their enormous Republican electoral majoritywould protect them from the social/cultural breakdown that ravagesthe urban wastelands of "Blue State" America.

And for too many years, conservative people of this state havewatched their heritage being stolen away from them with each ensuinglegislative session. In its place is a growing "nanny state"bureaucracy, the likes of which could once have only been found inplaces like California and New Jersey. The presence of these"Republican" organizations, who give their support to liberals,illustrates how identical liberal forces succeed here.

In most places, liberal Democrats call themselves "liberalDemocrats." But in Wyoming, they frequently claim to be "Republican"in order to be on the political "inside." And the ruse has worked.Moreover, Mr. Freudenthal simply could not have furthered his farleft-of-center agenda without cooperation from liberal Democrats inboth parties. But as they see their monopoly of power threatened by atrue conservative in the person of Ray Hunkins, they now must dropany pretense of political "moderation."

Yes, liberal "Republicans" may rally around "Gov. Dave." He hassteadfastly ducked every issue that required real leadership, such asdefense of traditional marriage. Ignoring legislation that wouldtruly protect children from the epidemic of child predators, heinstead fought to advance a "child-care" program worthy of Hillary's"Village." Thus he buys the devotion of the ever-growing cadre ofstate bureaucrats, enriched with taxpayer dollars.

So if Wyomingites are willing to settle for conservative soundingplatitudes as the "fig leaf" disguising a liberal agenda, while theironce-great state continues to fall into ruin, "Gov. Dave" is theirguy.

Cubin has gained stature to serve Wyoming well

Judy Catchpole

Cheyenne

I strongly urge Wyoming voters to send Rep. Barbara Cubin back toWashington! She knows and understands Wyoming's needs and issues. Asour only representative, Barbara works diligently in Congress and hasgained the stature to represent Wyoming well.

For instance, in the 109th Congress alone, Mrs. Cubin:

- Co-sponsored legislation (H.R. 303) allowing all disabledveterans to receive their retirement benefits concurrently with theirveterans' disability compensation.

- Co-sponsored a bill to halt the importation of Canadian cattlewhen it was unclear as to whether Canada was enforcinginternationally recognized cattle feed bans known to protect humanhealth.

- Helped stop the closure of the Sheridan Taxpayer AssistanceCenter.

- Helped pass SAFETEA-LU which secured over $1.2 billion forWyoming highways over the next five years while increasing the ruraltransit funding formula for small states.

- Introduced H.R. 2533 (116 bipartisan co-sponsors) to protectUniversal Service Funding for Wyoming telephone users and Internetaccess for schools and libraries.

- Co-sponsored, and won House passage of, the permanent repeal ofthe death tax and helped win House passage of permanent estate andgift tax relief.

- Co-sponsored the Small Business Health Fairness Act, allowingsmall businesses to join together to provide affordable healthbenefits for workers.

- Opposed amnesty for illegal aliens.

- Co-sponsored a bill to halt the negative 4.4 percent update toMedicare payments for physician services in 2006.

- Drafted energy bill amendments, including coal leasingamendments within H.R. 6 that will protect Wyoming jobs by maximizingefficient production of the coal in the state; enhance the use ofmodern mining technology; and by increasing production, also increaseroyalties paid to the federal government and Wyoming.

Mrs. Cubin knows and cares about Wyoming people.

Voters need Larry Meuli's

leadership in the Legislature

Jackie Cushing

Cheyenne

As a public health nurse who lives in Dr. Larry Meuli's HouseDistrict 8, I'm supporting him for re-election because of hisrepresentation and past record, including the following reasons:

- Dr. Meuli co-sponsored a bill that increased the number ofnursing students in Wyoming and authorized loans from them whichcould be forgiven if they stay and work in Wyoming.

- He co-sponsored the bill to continue state employees' longevitypay.

- He voted to increase state employees' salaries.

- He voted for increased salaries for hard-to-fill positions, suchas state nursing salaries.

Dr. Meuli's support for all state employees and his supportrelated to key health issues for all of Wyoming is a matter ofrecord. His support for nursing is very important given the currentnursing shortage that impacts Wyoming and the nation. We need to keephis leadership, knowledge and experience in the Wyoming Legislature.

Laybourn was a watchdog long before he was on the Council

Bob Laybourn

Cheyenne

I am writing this letter to support Cheyenne City Councilman PeteLaybourn.

If you think that's because he's my brother; you're partly right.But I am a Cheyenne native and I've watched mayors and councils comeand go for about 50 of my 57 years and have always had opinions abouttheir effectiveness and eccentricities.

Pete was a city watchdog for years before he ran for the Counciland won. He was a moving force on the Greenway and many of his ideaswere helpful and appreciated. As a councilman he is very intelligent,intense, and occasionally somewhat confrontational. He researches theissues he finds worth exposing or fighting for.

I remember when Jack Spiker knocked on my door in his start on acampaign for mayor. He asked for my vote and I committed it to him.In introducing myself, I added that Pete was my brother and Jackreplied that he thought Pete's attention and efforts on importantcity issues was very helpful.

I think the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle's efforts to assassinate Pete'sreputation and giving so much attention to a small claims lawsuitthat was dismissed and unimportant non-issues like a letterhead orsymbol was petulant and childish. Discerning citizens have told memany times that it only increased their support for a finecouncilman.

I would also like to express my support for Judy Case and thinkthis newspaper's criticism of her is also thoughtless.