THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 1996           TAG: 9610300005
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A12  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   29 lines

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTIES ARE COMMON CENTS

I was just sitting here thinking about the grass roots differences between the two major political parties. The Republicans, whether they admit it or not, are closely aligned with the rich. Well, if not the rich, then at least the well off. Of course, these days being well off might just mean having a good job or not having lost the farm yet. Then if you're well off, you'll more likely vote Republican.

The Democrats, on the other hand, take pride in being the champions of the common man, the minimum-wage earner, the downtrodden, the unemployed, the victim, the entitlements beneficiary, et al. And generally speaking, the misfortunate will more likely vote for the Democrat on the ballot.

What if the well off were economically reduced to the level of the common man? Then it seems to me that those voters would more likely abandon the cruel, heartless Republicans who care only for the well off.

And if the poor worked smarter or harder or just got lucky and became well off, wouldn't you expect them to look with more favor toward the party of the well off? I know I would.

So it really is simple, isn't it? To stay in power, the Republicans need to keep us well off. And the Democrats need to keep us . . . uhh-ohh!

DON W. LOVETT

Smithfield, Oct. 24, 1996 by CNB