In response to the letter from the gentleman in West End, I must repeat: Senator Edwards’ first responsibility is to the people of North Carolina, not to his personal agenda. His continued traveling and campaigning for president started immediately following his election to the Senate. His personal ambitions are the focal point of his service endeavors.

Relative to the letter writer’s comments blaming the state’s financial problems and the deficit on Bush’s tax cut, he needs to look at the facts: (1) The annual rate of economic growth was at 6 percent during the second half of 1999, decreasing to less than 1 percent by the second half of 2000. The recession had begun long before he became president. (2) The tax cut was too restrictive to have much impact on the economy. (3) Prior to 2001 and Bush’s election, our state was already in grave financial straits thanks to the spending of Gov. Jim Hunt.

The writer blames Bush and his “cronies” for the corporate scandals. Most of the chicanery occurred during Clinton’s watch.

I have no objection to the writer calling Bush a “weekend warrior” as long as he acknowledges that Clinton is a world-class draft dodger. I don’t have to defend Jesse Helms’ record in the Senate. The voters have been appreciative of his efforts to act as a brake to the agenda of the socialist wing of the Democratic Party.