Gasoline prices, adjusted for inflation, were highest during Jimmy Carter's administration. The price of gasoline, selling locally for $1.50-$1.70 per gallon, has not kept pace with inflation. In 1960 gasoline sold for 30-33 cents a gallon. A full size Ford selling for $2,000-$2,500 in 1960 now sells for $20,000-$30,000.

Regarding radical right wing tax cut: Tax cuts stimulate the economy and increase revenues as demonstrated by the John F. Kennedy tax cut of the early '60's and the Reagan tax cut of the early '80's. Radical Democrats whine that the government cannot afford a tax cut. They never ask if the taxpayer can afford tax hikes. However, radical Democrats think everyone works for the federal government. Through the goodness of their heart they let us keep a little money; but not too much.

Bush is not threatening war with China; he's simply observing our treaty obligations with Taiwan.

Deficit spending was the legacy of 40 years of radical Democrat rule in the House. The current surplus is the result of the Republican takeover in 1994.

The Strategic Missile Defense System was never dead, even under Clinton; Bush just gave it a much needed shot of adrenalin.

As for who ''really won the election,'' who is really sitting in the White House?

Hubert Baker, Aiken, S.C.