Regarding “Democrats are singing the same old sad song” in the June 9 Thousand Oaks Acorn, how sad indeed, Mr. Bo DiFatta. While it is true that former Gov. Davis’ stewardship of this state’s affairs left much to be desired, the current governor apparently finds that his honeymoon period is over and we, the citizens of California, are caught in the continuing campaigning that passes for politics here. This is a war that has grown from the continuation of the skirmishes between the various unions of this state who refuse to understand that times have changed and they, like the rest of us, must change along with them. Unless of course, to coin a phrase, you’ve made up your mind and I shouldn’t confuse you with the facts.

Starting with a brief treatise on state government and going quickly to the feds and glancing over 66 years of history encompassing World War II as well as economics, I thought I would attempt to present some facts for you and those who may have been misled by your false and almost imperceptible excoriation of Ms. Aschenbrenner.

Let’s look at the 2005 economic report of the president. From 1960 to 2005 the Gross Domestic Product rose an average of $165 billion/year under Republican presidents and $212 billion under Democratic ones. Federal spending has gone up an average of about $35 billion under Democratic presidents and $60 billion under Republicans. And under Mr. Bush, this country currently enjoys the largest deficit in its entire history with no end in sight.

While Mr. Reagan was a great communicator and did help set the stage for the fall of communism, he did it at a huge price: increased government spending to offset an enemy that had a hard enough time knowing just who was on first. Oh, and there were just those few little questions regarding Iran-Contra, Star Wars and lack of assistance to those hungry and poor in America.

As for appeasement, Chamberlain did appease Hitler when Hitler marched into the Rhineland but it was primarily France that did not retaliate. Also, Britain was not strong enough for war and needed more time to re-arm.

When Hitler marched into the part of Czechoslovakia that he didn’t control and then Poland, Britain attacked. Now to draw any parallel to Bush’s invasion of Iraq is simply silly and reflects no appreciation or understanding of history.

If history has taught us anything, it is that rabid nationalism and the squashing of debate can be dangerous. “G.W.” wasn’t elected because enough people knew the facts, as you said. In fact, Bush won the popular vote by a 51 percent to 48 percent margin or a raw 3 million votes. He won the Electoral College by 286 vs. 252 votes. Hardly a mandate.

But if you believe that a government should have the right to tell you your reproductive rights, to impose its religious values upon you and to turn back the clock on basic research on medical advances that can save the life of your, or my, loved one, then you’ve got the government you deserve.

How sad indeed. Paul S. Kessler Agoura Hills