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Letters to the Editor George W.: Conservatively compassionate George W. Bush has labeled himself the "compassionate conservative." I decided to check out how his actions as Governor of Texas backed up his words. After looking at statistics and other things I have decided that he is "conservatively compassionate." He seems to conserve his compassion for the rich (primarily white and male) folks who would vote for him. I will share why that is my conclusion. He ridiculed plans to hire more teachers even though Texas ranks 47th in the nation in reading skills. Since Texas teachers' salaries are 50th in ranking they would be too busy working or looking for a second job to have time to vote for Bush so he conserves his compassion. Texas has the worst pollution in the nation and 75 percent is produced by companies that donated $500 or more to Bush. Therefore, he has compassion for the companies, not the people affected by the pollution. Texas ranks as the 48th worst state to raise children and 24 percent of the children live in poverty. But Bush supports a plan to cut 2.96 billion in Head Start, which would deny an additional 40,000 children the right to the program. Since children can't vote I guess he conserves his compassion for others. I think we need to look at the actions of the candidates, not just their words. Think carefully before voting for anyone. Lee Janisch Prior Lake Gore and St. John’s Wort: Just Swallow! This is strictly my opinion - not NOW policy at any level. As a known feminist political activist, I get questioned about politics, elections and candidates by friends, family and mere acquaintances. I would like to publicly answer one question. The reason I can ignore everything I believe in, swallow my principles and vote for Gore is simple - St. John's Wort! It doesn't make me giddy or even put a spring in my step, but it does take the tears out of my voice when I discuss the dismal state of political affairs for liberals. Not living in Texas where the electoral votes will go to Shrub anyhow, I know that a vote for Nader or any other minor party candidate in Minnesota is a vote for Bush. I also know that the tone of the Supreme Court for most of the rest of my life (I plan on being really, really old) depends on the next President. So three times a day I take the funny looking, weird smelling tablets and plan on voting for Gore and the reprehensible Lieberman on November 7. The Cranky Crone Claire Peirce Minneapolis