Editor:

I am writing in response to a recent letter headlined "Right Candidate for Sussex County." This is a crucial year for both our county and our country. Far too often in the past we have voted for candidates based on traditions rather than response to performance. At a time when the electorate is polarized to an unprecedented degree, both Republicans and Democrats have an obligation to look past the spin and participate in real debate.

During the past two years Mr. Garrett has given his support to policies both foreign and domestic which many feel have been detrimental to our nation's standing in the world as well as financial stability. He has backed the administration in its misconceived war-- a war that taken the focus away from actual terrorist threats. Our resources both human and financial are being drained in an excursion that is rapidly turning into a quagmire. We have alienated both the United Nations and most of our allies at a time when global co-operation is imperative.

Domestically, Mr. Garrett has backed an agenda that took an inherited surplus and turned it into a $477 billion dollar deficit, which is growing daily. This is legislation that our children will have to pay for.

Unemployment is at 8.17 million of which 1.87 million are considered long term unemployed (27 weeks or more) and 760,000 workers have run out of benefits since December 2002. (Mr. Garrett voted against extending unemployment benefits). These figures do not even being to address the issue of manufacturing jobs lost during the last two years.

There are other real issues: an educational policy that was underfunded by as much as $9 billion in 2004, leaving many children behind, an environmental policy thst relaxes the Clean Air Act allowing 20,000 companies to increase the amount of air pollution they generate.

I have found Mr. Garrett to be unresponsive to important questions. We need to be open-minded and to encourage a real discussion on the issues before deciding on the best candidate

Kathy Brennan-Hughes
Newton