Michael Leavitt, director of the Maine Republican Party, makes some astonishing statements in his letter, “Bush’s strong budget” (BDN, Feb. 14).

The Bush budget is clear in its intentions to deceive and distort; it does not include billions in planned expenditures in Afghanistan and Iraq. It does not include the billions he hopes to spend privatizing Social Security.

The torrent of red ink in this budget – and that, which is not included in it – will lead to higher interest rates and a weaker dollar. The deficit will be a huge birth tax on our children or at least the ones who have not benefited from the tax cuts for the wealthy.

The Bush budget exercises “fiscal restraint” with programs such as Medicaid, food stamps and education to assist children and families who are not wealthy.

Do Republicans really believe that while it is an honor to die for your country, it is an imposition to pay for it?

Laurie Nicholson

Stonington