Ed Goldman, Monroe

   John McCain lost his right to be called a maverick when he sold out to conservatives. His desire to become president far outweighed everything he stood for. The deal between McCain and the conservatives was consummated when he took their choice for vice president.

   Now, Sen. McCain has adopted a conservative philosophy and if he becomes president, he will impose it on you and me:

   1. He supports a fight-first, talk-later approach with Russia, as expressed by his running mate.

   2. He will stay in Iraq until we win the war — whenever that will be. Where are we going to get the manpower for a prolonged stay in Iraq?

   3. He will appoint conservative Supreme Court justices.

   4. Sen. McCain’s sellout includes privatization of Social Security that will benefit major corporations.

   5. He will also privatize Medicare, while refusing to rewrite the plan D Medicare drug program that was written by the insurance and drug companies.

   6. He will support oil industry subsidies — as if Exxon/Mobil aren’t making enough profits.

   Sen. McCain’s conservative sellout will mean greater unemployment, higher gas costs and food bills, and more war in Iraq and elsewhere.

   That is not what I want for me, my family or the United States.

Ed Goldman

Monroe