Domestic spying erodes democracy

Re “Cheney Defends Domestic Spying, Dec. 21

Vice President Dick Cheney’s statement that Watergate and Vietnam served to erode the authority he believes the president needs to be effective moves one to no small irony: It is precisely because of the excesses of Richard Nixon’s imperial presidency that presidential powers were congressionally -- and necessarily -- reined in.

History may indeed record George Bush’s imperial presidency as rivaling, if not surpassing, Nixon’s in terms of its hubris; let’s hope that the Bush presidency represents the nadir of the imperial presidency.

ROBERT OURIEL

Brentwood

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Bush seeks democracy for Iraq, yet he stifles it in his own country. As American citizens, we are empowered to hold our government up to scrutiny; yet anytime anyone questions Bush’s actions, he or Cheney insults, berates or questions their patriotism. This response is an insult to the very spirit of democracy, our Constitution and to the character of the American people.

KAREN WEAVER

Anaheim

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Scrooge is alive and well in the form of Vice President Cheney, who flew halfway around the world to break a Senate vote and assure that the rich get their tax cuts and the poor get cuts in healthcare, food stamps and student loans. Merry Christmas, Tiny Tim!

DANUTE HANDY

Santa Barbara