An Open Letter to Tom Daschle
written by
Arturo Sundvold, Daily Balance Editor-in-Chief


Senator Daschle,

Your comments recently about talk radio were inappropriate. 

First of all, Freedom of Speech is in the constitution, Senator. Some of us
don't want to politely nod our collective heads when you speak. Some of us
want to exercise our right to disagree with your left-wing policies.

Secondly, if you want to criticize talk radio for creating an emotional
foment, then surely you acknowledge the impact that other media outlets have
had on the minds of Americans. We look forward to you standing
shoulder-to-shoulder with conservatives like Dr. Kennedy, Dr. Dobson, Newt
Gingrich, and myself as we fight Hollywood and demand less violence and sex
in movies. We applaud your decision to join us in our attempt to bring
wholesome programs to prime-time broadcast television. Thank you for your
support, Senator.

Of course, what you seem to miss, Senator Daschle, is that talk radio has
encouraged INTELLECTUAL debate, not emotional. If anyone has had emotional
appeals of late, it's you and your party.

From your recent outburst on the Senate floor demanding an apology from
President Bush to your consistent claims that Republicans are the party of
the wealthy, your arguments have CONSISTENTLY been based on emotional
appeals, lacking any real evidence.

Tell you what, Senator: why don't YOU start your radio program? Maybe you
can fight fire with fire, Senator.

Of course, you'll have to get sponsors to pay for the program -- maybe you
can pass a Senate bill that will force taxpayers to buy airtime for your
show? 

On second thought, don't. You'd probably try to do that.

I don't think you have the guts to conduct a radio program in the REAL
WORLD, Senator -- where funds are not easy to come by ... where you have to
sell in order to survive.

Nope, I don't think you're good at selling, Senator. The American public
isn't buying you, or your party, anymore.