PUBLIC FORUM TRUST ARNOLD?

It is my opinion that all of this filing for governor doesn't exactly represent a circus atmosphere. The 135 or so people who have filed are indicating, sincerely, that they are just as good as Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Arnold is a man who has just pulled the carpet out from under friends. Dick Riordan was left stunned and angry and Rep. Darrell Issa in tears. Issa financed and cleared the way to recall Gray Davis. The Daily News writes that Schwarzenegger ``stole the spotlight.'' He did just that. Like a thief in the night. Stole the opportunities of two other men - on the Republican side - absolutely without conscience. How can he be trusted?

- Betty Barrett

North Hollywood

He can do it again

Re ``Davis says he's now backing car-fee repeal'' (Aug. 13):

If Gov. Gray Davis remains as governor after the Oct. 7 election, how long do you think it would take him to reverse his position once again? If you reject his recall he has the voters' approval and nothing to lose by increasing all so-called fees.

- Bill Zelenka

Granada Hills

Double standard

Why is it that when a Republican is in charge, we're told, ``Now, now, be patient, things will get better, but only if you behave yourselves and trust in your (Republican) leaders.'' And when a Democrat is in charge, it's, ``Things aren't better immediately, so off with his head.''

Of course it would be best if Gray Davis resigned now. But it's a cruel request: Please commit suicide to spare our having to kill you. I can't say I really blame him for making the state do this the hard way. At least future governor Arnold Schwarzenegger can never be president because he's not a natural-born citizen.

- Kevin Dawson

Sunland

Davis' overdraft

Re ``Don't derail progress in California'' (Their Opinions, Aug. 12):

Cathy Unger is exactly what is wrong in California - the special interest groups running amok in Sacramento. Ask yourself: Was this program necessary and in place 50 years ago? And, if it wasn't, then why is it necessary now? These special groups want the taxpayer to pay their salaries and expenses for their special agendas.

Furthermore, I am tired of hearing that Gov. Gray Davis lost $38 billion dollars during his term. This is wrong. He inherited a $12 billion surplus. This is a $50 billion change and about $1 billion a month during Davis' term. And some people are complaining about the recall? What chutzpah.

- Joseph Nicassio

Valencia

Lot of experience

Experience. Our illustrious Gov. Gray Davis, Cruz Bustamante and the rest of the experience-heavy professional Democratic politicians have managed to run our state right into the ground. And whom do they blame? George Bush, Pete Wilson, Ronald Reagan, the Girl Scouts, the Loch Ness Monster, global warming, the Wright Brothers and the groundhog.

We know these overpaid Sacramento leaders are obviously very highly experienced in taking care of their special-interest groups, but without a clue as to how to correct California's problem that they created. You can wallow with Davis and those confused-but-experienced politicians in Sacramento, my friend, or bring in nonexperienced Arnold Schwarzenegger for a breath of fresh air.

- Edmond Henry

Mission Hills

Bush is responsible

Re ``Agency knows what Bush wants to hear'' (Their Opinions, Aug. 6):

It is not as if the Bush administration is irresponsible. In fact, this administration is quite deliberate and often arrogant about its goal. As Paul Krugman makes clear, the White House has politicized all discussion. It has also made it clear that all decisions will be supported by any means possible - however implausible, far-fetched or disingenuous.

Like their corporate sponsors, those in the Bush administration are out to grab everything they can - and the public be damned. And though the day of reckoning will come, they figure they will be long out of town when the chickens come home to roost. And by then, they can just blame Clinton, anyway.

- Randy Stone 

Chatsworth

All about choices

Re ``Driven to dismay'' (Aug. 11):

Buying a sport-utility vehicle - especially two of them - is a choice. There are less expensive cars on the market. In addition, when you buy a house, you choose where you want to live. So this couple chooses to live more than 30 miles one way from work and buy two SUVs, which get 10 miles to the gallon, and then complain about how much money and time they are spending on their transportation.

Give me a break. I just bought a home 15 miles away from where I work. It is not brand-new. So what? And I drive a car that gets 25 miles to the gallon. I have zero complaints about my transportation. It is all about choices.

- Christine W. Hawkins

West Hills

Worst type of fad

Re ``Driven to dismay'' (Aug. 11):

This fad of driving sport-utility vehicles by people who merely use these trucks for transportation is stupid when, for a lot less money and gas consumption, they could be getting the same service from most five-seat small sedans. I've heard all the reasons why they're so wonderful, but unless there is a specific need, they are the worst type of vehicle people have ever been brainwashed into believing they need to ``be with it.''

These trucks take up more room on the roads and parking lots, eat more gas, are more difficult to park and block other motorists' vision behind them or beside them. Many models create visual pollution; they're ugly. If the cost of commuting has become too high in these monstrosities, get rid of them.

- Al Fidler

Northridge

Congress' fault

Re ``Driven to dismay'' (Aug. 11):

In placing blame for escalating transportation costs, the Daily News should have criticized Congress, for failing to pass meaningful fuel-economy legislation, and also the American consumer, who continues to purchase many gas guzzling sport-utility vehicles.

- Michael Wiener

Encino

Woe to those

More and more so-called Christians are abandoning the Bible and teachings of Christ and calling it ``progress.'' The recent ordination of an openly, unrepentant gay bishop and even the ordaining of women are examples of this. The Bible says, ``Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness.'' That is exactly what is happening.

- Preston Ritter 

Canyon Country

VA experience

Contrary to the myth about the medical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, my husband and I could not have been happier with the care he received from the VA bureaucracy this past year.

Everyone with whom we came into contact was courteous and helpful. Sure, there was a wait for appointments, particularly those with specialists, or for special tests. But when a routine lab test showed problems, a doctor called us within two hours, and my husband was ushered through all the procedures necessary to diagnose and treat his condition. Once, as we thanked an orderly for his help, his response seemed to succinctly describe the attitude of all the employees of the VA: ``They served for us. Now we get to serve them.''

- Dorothy Rush

Granada Hills

The main problem

Our major problem in California is illegal immigration, along with the fallout from doing nothing about it for years. Pete Wilson knew that we cannot continue to support people who are here illegally and the children they had here. Proposition 187 was voted in by the majority of California voter-taxpayers who are tired of being asked to pay more in taxes to fund this illegal activity while we watch the degradation of our neighborhoods.

It is no surprise more are leaving the state than coming in when you can barely afford health and auto insurance, education and, least of all, retirement, but are forced to pay higher taxes because of people who are here illegally. Anyone who will find a solution to this problem has my vote.

- Vonnie Harper

Van Nuys