Ray Davis’ letter, “Body armor essential” (BDN, July 22), bases his criticism of Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards on incomplete information.

Robert Byrd, a senator for 45 years and a much-respected statesman, explains in his new book, “Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency,” why many senators voted against President Bush’s request for $87 billion. Bush had approached Congress a number of times for funds to fight terrorism and the war in Iraq, but each time he demanded funds with no accountability, no plans on how the money was to specifically be spent.

Bush wanted a blank check. Sen. Byrd calls this a “slush fund.” We don’t know whether Bush wanted to buy body armor or to give the money to Halliburton.

Those in Congress who voted against this request did so because they wanted more specifics as to how the money was to be spent. They weren’t denying body armor to anyone. They were simply doing their job of looking after the people’s money. After all, in three years we have gone from a $450 billion surplus to a $450 billion deficit.

Byrd also recounts a request by the Appropriations Committee to have Sen. Tom Ridge appear before them and give them specifics on how the money the White House was requesting would be spent. The White House declined to let him appear. Four times Ridge was asked to appear and he declined every time. Bush wants unlimited funds with no accountability.

This is not good business sense and not a responsible response from the Congress. Their job is to look after our money. Too many of the Republican ads take information out of context and make things seem other than what they really are. Beware of them.

June Stiller

Sebec