Jim Heim's April 18 letter is flawed. Now is not the time for the blaming game to achieve a Democratic sweep and suggest Republicans will be "trounced in the fall."

Had Bill Clinton done something about the USS Cole incident, the first bombing attempt on the World Trade Center, and other terrorist attacks, we might not be in Iraq.

Does Heim recall that Clinton convinced Congress to reduce spending on U.S. military personnel and equipment during his tenure?

Heim wrongly blames President Bush for our 2008 financial problems. Democrats hold the purse strings and have controlled the U.S. House and Senate since January 2007. They are called "the do-nothing Congress" for a reason. USA Today wrote recently about millions spent for pork barrel projects of Obama ($11 million) and Hillary ($8 million) for their respective states.

John McCain does not believe in earmarks (pork barrel spending), nor has he done this for Arizona. Part of his 2008 platform is to eliminate earmarks (and push for improved campaign finance reform).

Heim misinterpreted County GOP Chairman John Owen's column and has used it as a springboard plea to elect his party. Heim's comments about families choosing between buying gas or food is not far from the truth, especially for low income earners, but I find it grossly unjust and illogical to blame Republican leaders for high gas and food prices.

The Arabs control the price of oil. Our country is searching for alternate fuels. High oil prices raise the cost of everything.

Lane Toomey, candidate for the N.C. House, shares my grievances of excessive taxation, wasteful spending and the immoral, unfair 2 percent food tax. Food tax as well as excessive state and federal gas taxes hurt large families and low income earners the most.

Martha Jack

Pinehurst