Retiring, 26-year Republican Rep. Doug Bereuter of Nebraska, vice chairman of the House Intelligence Committee until earlier this month, recently sent a letter to his constituents: He reached the conclusion that invading Iraq was a mistake.

In the four-page letter, he stated: “the cost of casualties is already large and growing, and the immediate and long-term financial costs are incredible.” And questioned: Was intelligence misconstrued to justify military action? (CNN.com)

We are paying in lives and dollars, and for the destruction by our bombing, which brought Iraq back to pre-1991 condition. Our soldiers are put in harm’s way for a few hundred dollars a month, in some cases, while contractors are paid thousands a month for similar jobs. Furthermore, a recent interim Iraqi government count of civilians killed is up to 37,000.

Rep. Bereuter is one of many experienced, respected, Republican leaders who have come out to say Bush is wrong and is taking us in the wrong direction. The level of deception by the Bush administration is alarming.

Undecided? Read and listen to varied media. It is our duty in a democracy to think and act based on being informed.

The Bush administration counts on using what amounts to propaganda and staged sound bites to convince us to vote for him. For example, at Bush rallies attendees must have tickets to get in, are often asked to sign loyalty pledges, and are given questions to ask.

Is this our democracy?

Suzanne Dunham, Greenwood

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