To the editor:

A recent letter to the editor published in your paper criticized President Bush for his refusal to act in the gouging of California consumers by out-of-state energy providers. I tend to agree that the large campaign contributions he received from Texas energy providers had a lot to do with his decision.

I am reminded by this obvious act of the Republican scandals of the past 30 years: The Agnew resignation over bribery accusations and Nixon’s resignation over Watergate and obstruction of justice. More recently I remember the Iran/Contra arms for hostages scandal during Reagan’s term, where public officials were convicted and then pardoned by President Bush before he left office. Let us not forget the $300 billion annual national debt legacy left by the elder Bush.

Should we be lulled into a false sense of security by the charm of President Bush, who serves under a cloud of illegitimacy, shame on us.

Jim Robbins

South Lake Tahoe