It is not the first time I have written the members of Congress, nor is it likely to be the last. What has remained a rather constant disappointment, however, is the glib, forked-tongue responses I get to my letters.

I believe the American people need to know the truth. Truth and philosophical soundness should be all the public needs to make its decision concerning a party or individual.

I do not believe we need people who are skilled at the political run-around we have grown so accustomed to. Nor do I believe we need people who use anything less than factual information as political tools to further their own or their party’s goals.

The Republican Party has jumped to many conclusions concerning allegations against the president, allegations which should never have been brought to public light without tremendous evidentiary support.

Instead, rumor and bogus statements have been assumed and used as being the truth, not only by the Republican Party, but also its good friends in the media.

As if this isn’t enough, we also have to contend with politicians professing to believe in one thing while doing or saying exactly the opposite. As an example, answers I receive usually begin with something such as “Although the allegations involving President Clinton remain unsubstantiated ....”.

If the allegations are unsubstantiated after months and months of investigation, then why treat the allegations as being factual on national news and in statements to the press?

Then, there is always a statement to the effect that if the allegations are true, then the President has disgraced himself and his office.

Again, statements such as this show the individual is using the allegation as a political tool and is not using facts. Instead, it is just a politician trying to qualify the use of other than facts and to get his two cents in about disgracing an office.

Ashcroft’s last response even went so far as stating “The President must enjoy the presumption of innocence.”

Now, I ask you, is the presumption of innocence being employed when a later statement is “Our country is paying a dear price for the President’s values deficit”? Doesn’t this statement completely discount the above 'presumption of innocence' statement?

As if that isn’t pathetic enough, follow this. “At home, there is a crisis in our culture. Its symptoms include family breakdown, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and an assault on innocent human life. Unfortunately, the leader who should stand for our highest and best moral values, who should be leading by example, who should be a model for our children is missing in action.”

Hmm, where did the presumption of innocence go this time? Are Republicans actually blaming President Clinton for all the failings our society is currently suffering?

And, if the truth be known, aren’t there many, many politicians a like-statement could be made about? Actually, could not this statement be aimed at Congress in its entirety?

How about keeping Gingrich as House Leader? A known liar by his own admission, a stealer of donated funds by his own admission, immoral as told by Anne Manning, and as unethical as the worst of the worst who grace the halls of Washington, DC.

How about the many, many times that legislative party decisions are made in favor of high-dollar investors? How about the many times that politicians have been caught in lies such as those told during campaigns? All have contributed to the common belief expressed by many writers that Congress is full of felons.

To do away with presumption of innocence is against one of the creed’s of this nation. Ours is a nation founded so truth and justice could prevail.

Every Republican party member who has made any statement other than President Clinton having only allegations against him violates the principles of justice and truth. Therefore, their rhetorical meanderings are as un-American as any spouted by enemies of this nation.

In reality, every situation brought up by Ashcroft and others, such as teen pregnancies, drug-usage, the breakdown of the family unit, etcetera, existed long before Mr. Clinton became president and, under current corrective measures, will exist long after his final term in office.

He is not the cause and Republican leaders should not allude to or state he is. Have not any of these people considered the movies and television shows watched, the oftimes glorification of the breakdown of our values by the mediums young observe and mimic?

After all, how many of our youth watch every news show possible, read every article possible, and are led to using facts, rather than innuendoes or statements based on false premises? How many actually know or care what is going on in the political arena?

Or, have none of our leaders wondered about the reasons that so many in this nation do not trust politicians? Why do so many people lack faith in our politicians and our politicial system?

How about voter apathy? Why is it so prevalent?

As you know, these conditions prevailed prior to Mr. Clinton's becoming president. Aren't they indicative of the very qualities each of the anti-Clintonites speak of as becoming lost when trying to undermine Mr. Clinton?

Once again, after reviewing several letters and a mind-numbing number of articles, my contention is any politician who bases any response on unsubstantiated allegations is violating a trust given them by the people of this nation.

Political decisions in determining what is best for the people of this nation should be based only on facts. Never, never should politicians engage in the type of mindless rhetoric we have heard for the past many months, in which allegations have been treated as the truth by Republican party members playing political games for their own or their party’s self-interests.

And, perhaps, Ladies and Gentlemen, when they look for shoddy role-models, the ones who are screaming the loudest should look no further than the nearest mirror. Or, are they, too, 'missing in action'?