PUBLIC FORUM JUMPING SHIP.

The die-hard Republicans want to know why many of us are ``jumping ship'' to vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger? This can be answered in one word: Bustamante. The likely election of this man would be the final nail in California's coffin, so it is crucial that we look for a moderate conservative who can actually win.

Abortion is a nonissue in this election, and Arnold is against the new driver's license bill and gay marriages. Most importantly, he is a shrewd businessman who will stand tough on spending and not raise taxes. He is also honest and forthright, which will be a refreshing change for this state. Tom McClintock is a good man but will earn greater respect now if he graciously bows out.

- Sharon Howard

Encino

Cruz not like us

I get upset every time I see the commercial by Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante where he complains that Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't feel our pain, that he doesn't know what problems we have in our everyday life because he lives in Planet Hollywood.

I would like Bustamante to show the people a picture of the house he lives in and show us videos of the people selling elotes, dulces and tamales on his street like they are on our streets. Bustamante wants us to believe that just because he is a Latino, he feels our pain. Just like our politicians in Mexico, Central America and South America, he may look like us, talk like us and tell us he feels our pain, but in reality, although he may not live on Planet Hollywood, he most certainly lives next door.

- Ana Alvarado

North Hills

Out of range

In the extremely unlikely event that Arianna Huffington is elected governor of California, I shall be moving to Nunavut, the semi-autonomous territory in Canada near the North Pole, governed by the indigenous Eskimo. It is my understanding that television is unavailable there; thus I shall not be exposed to the loud, hard, shrill voice of Arianna.

Huffington has publicly evolved from somewhat unconventional ideas, to extreme leftist and immature rantings. Her speech makes me almost wistful for the undynamic, barely audible mumblings of Gray Davis. Then again, like sensible people in record numbers are doing, I am investigating leaving the former paradise of the present People's Republic of California. And I am unconvinced that ``I'll be back.''

- Robert A. Gismondi

Reseda

Romer responds

Re ``Conning the public'' (Editorial, Sept. 25):

You once again say that LAUSD ``squandered'' much of the Proposition BB money. We publicly admitted 18 months ago that some of the estimates for the work that was to be done under BB had been underestimated. We have been working to overcome those shortfalls.

Now, we face the difficult task of meeting underfunded promises six years later. Without additional funds, our BB repair program would have simply stopped. We had a choice: suspend repair work for 9-12 months until the next bond is voted on and let six-year-old promises languish, or find a responsible way to continue funding them. I, and the Board, didn't think it would be fair to tell the people at Bassett Elementary school, who have been waiting for new heaters for six years, that they would have to wait another year. We were not willing to tell the staff and students at Monroe High School that they would have to wait another year to replace classroom lighting. So we found a way to bridge fund these items.

The Los Angeles Daily News and the public need to understand the choices we faced: stop the repair program, keep the program going by using the General Fund, or keep the program going by using bond funds as a form of bridge financing. In reading your editorial, it seems that any of these choices would have resulted in criticism.

This Board took a fiscally responsible, prudent vote to continue these much-needed repairs in our schools without impacting our existing projects, and without impacting the General Fund. And yes, we do need funds from the planned March bond to help meet this need - and comments about ``blackmailing the public'' are simply and needlessly inflammatory. Borrowing existing bond funds to continue our repair program is responsible, legal and prudent.

- Roy Romer

Superintendent

Tough and love

Re ``Recall free-for-all'' (Sept. 25):

Cruz Bustamante preaches ``tough love,'' but I want to know who gets the tough and who gets the love. He proposes to tax the very ones who keep the economy moving and regulate businesses out of the state; but he wants to help tribal casinos and union interests. I suppose what he really means is get tough with anyone who doesn't donate to help those who fund his campaign.

I want a governor to do the best thing for California, not for his own special buddies. Arnold is my guy.

- Alan Johnsdale

Los Angeles

The right man

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the leader and businessman California desperately needs. He is the only candidate with specific economic, education, energy, environment and budget solutions. He is also the candidate who will bring top experts into the government to help him turn California around.

I have personally observed Arnold running the Inner City Games and other projects that helped Los Angeles and California. He is a no-nonsense doer. Schwarzenegger is the right man at the right time with the strength and solutions needed to lead California to a better future.

- Richard J. Riordan

Former mayor

Los Angeles

Clown Court

Re ``Court says recall vote will be Oct. 7'' (Sept. 24):

Mark Rosenbaum of the American Civil Liberties Union got it right when, in a Freudian slip, he summarized his argument as ``the strongest case that has ever been in this circus.'' The Ninth Circuit is becoming just that: a circus, good for laughs but little else.

The clown-like atmosphere was paraded in full during the recall hearing on Monday. Lawrence Tribe argued that Gray Davis could not constitutionally be recalled by the same system that got him into power in the first place. I can only assume this was meant as a joke, as no thinking person could take the argument seriously.

- Omar Duval

Long Beach

Deserve the ridicule

Re ``State of chaos'' (Sept. 16):

The state of California deserves to be laughed at and ridiculed, nationally and internationally, if its state Constitution does not delineate a more orderly line of succession to ``the Sacramento Throne'' than what is unmistakable in the recall lunacy. The right to recall an elected official for dereliction of duty, objectionable ethics, or scandalous morals falls within the confines of ``government by the people.'' Recall: yes or no?

Why the circus with an election if the individual next in line to assume the position is already decided? If the recall initiative mandates this insanity, is it not nullifying a standing article of the state Constitution? Should this not be what a court of justice or a court of appeal is asked to decide?

- Urbain Lausier

Pacoima

Our president

Just when does this nonsense end? Our President Bush has driven the deficit to a staggering $400.5 billion so far and that will likely increase. Add to that, he is now and probably will continue to ruin the potential - financial and emotional - of all Americans. I find it shocking that since he captured that (hopefully) temporary seat he now occupies, almost 3 million jobs were lost. I suppose that figure will be increasing as well. So when do we institute a recall for him? And the way he conducts himself with our European allies leaves, to say the least, a lot to be desired. Although I am not primarily a Democrat, lately it surprises me how any working individual can even consider voting Republican. Now there's a thought to ponder - yes?

- Leo Bertucelli

Sherman Oaks