However, Senator McConnell must be rebuked for signing his name to a Republican fund-raising letter which deceptively seeks to associate the stance of the Republican leadership in Congress with the conservative convictions of many of those people receiving the mailing.

Senator McConnell asserts that "we have a lot at stake in the months ahead. Taxes... Social Security... Medicare... national sovereignty... the federal budget deficit... and more.... And quite frankly, our success or failure will depend on how united we are as conservatives and Republicans."

Senator McConnell argues correctly that "The American people do not want deficit spending" and then asserts that "Bill Clinton has fought us every step of the way" on "GOP spending cuts".

SINCE 1994, GOP HAS VOTED TO INCREASE SPENDING BY MORE THAN $100 BILLION

Since the election of the Republican Senate in 1994, Federal outlays have increased from $1.5 trillion in Fiscal Year 1995 to nearly $1.7 trillion in Fiscal Year 1998. Inasmuch as the Republicans control both Houses of Congress, these increases could not have occurred without the concurrence of the GOP leadership.

ANTI-QUOTA RHETORIC, BUT ACTION STYMIED

Senator McConnell goes on to say "The American people don't believe quotas are fair or even constitutional... but Bill Clinton and Al Gore believe quotas, not merit, should be the law of the land."

So far so good, but why has the Republican leadership kept a lid on anti-quota legislation which has been proposed by members seeking the end of Federally mandated affirmative action?

NO ACTION TO STOP PLACING U.S. TROOPS IN U.N. UNIFORMS

McConnell says "The American people have made it clear they do not want American soldiers serving in U.N. uniforms, under U.N. command or in a ‘U.N. Army’ ... but, under Bill Clinton, thousands of Americans are serving under U.N. control and in U.N. uniforms."

GOP CONGRESS HAS IGNORED ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY

Again, the facts are correct, but incomplete. The U.S. Constitution cleverly stipulates in Article I, Section 8 that: The Congress shall have Power...To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.

The Republican Congress has not lifted a finger to help Michael New or any of the other U.S. military personnel assigned to wear U.N. accoutrements on their uniforms and serve under foreign commander's uniforms.

TALK IS CHEAP

TO SUCCEED, GOP LEADERS BANK ON THE IGNORANCE OF THEIR DONORS

Apparently, Senator McConnell is banking on the ignorance of those who receive this letter hoping they will assume that it is the Democrats alone who take the cited positions, neglecting the fact that Republican majorities in both Houses of Congress have supported each and every item to which he referred.

For example, when the Dole-Kennedy- Kassebaum bill passed the U.S. Senate, the vote was 100 to 0. Not a single Republican voted "No".

PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES

Almost as if engaged in self parody, Senator McConnell asserts that "In short, in their deceitful way, Clinton/Gore and the rest of the liberals intend to advance their left-wing agenda, even as they talk and sound like conservatives." Precisely that language could be applied to the Republican leadership in the House and the Senate.

$142 BILLION STOLEN FROM SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND SINCE 1996

McConnell then invites those to whom he has written to respond to an eleven question survey, covering many of these very same issues.

One of his big laugh lines is "Should the Social Security Trust Fund be taken off budget and placed where it cannot be used by Congress?". Of course, this can be done whenever the Republican majorities in the House and the Senate decide to do it.

Unfortunately, they, like the Democrats, have been voting for years to raid the fund and have stolen from it some $142 billion dollars since FY 1996 alone. That doesn't count another $60 billion in FY 1995, which the GOP majority, by their inaction, allowed to stand — for a total of $202 billion in the last three years alone.

PLUNDERED PACHYDERMS ARE ASKED TO PAY FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING CHEATED