I recently returned from the California Democratic convention and came away full of hope and optimism. Our long national nightmare of Republican rule will soon be over, and we can begin to actually solve our problems. All the presidential candidates addressed our current problems, especially the disastrous war and our failing health system. Unfortunately, none of them addressed the impeachment question, but it was clear that most of the delegates thought it was definitely on the table and should be looked into.

It is increasingly clear that the Democratic Party is the party of hope and progress, of actually trying to solve our problems, of helping average Americans have better lives, of looking realistically at our problems, of working together.

In contrast, Rudy Giuliani, a leading Republican candidate, threatens Americans with death and destruction if they dare vote for Democrats. The Republicans have no plans to solve our problems other then by promoting division and fear. They still support a disastrous war in Iraq, they don’t believe in effective government, they stand by as the county goes bankrupt and they block all attempts at finding the truth about President Bush’s failures and corruption.

The war of ideas is over; Democrats won.

— John Strubbe, Simi Valley