I have known Nakanishi for several years, but I know he would never stoop to making disparaging personal remarks about his opponents. He is a kind and considerate person who has respect for everyone. I was not surprised at Machado's ethnic slurs after receiving his two mailers in the Primary attacking Nakanishi.

In these days of so much emphasis on hate crimes and speech, I am surprised that the News-Sentinel dismisses Machado's slurs so easily. I am also surprised that you overlooked one of the prime reasons for electing Nakanishi.

With health care such a concern, we need someone in the Senate who knows the problems first hand. The Democrats attack HMOs and the pharmaceutical companies, but neglect to remember that without the huge expenditures of the drug companies on research and development, we would not have all these drugs that have so enhanced our lives. And, if they are not allowed to recoup their costs, they will be out of business or no longer develop new drugs. And we would all be losers.

If Machado were truly concerned about rising taxes, he could have voted to remove the sales tax from gasoline. That would be a significant lowering of the price of gasoline benefiting all.

Instead, he joined the Democrats in demonizing the oil companies. Their own party has had no energy policy for the last eight years and has no solutions for increasing our domestic oil supply or for alternative energy sources thus reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

I have confidence that Nakanishi will remain a man of principle and will not sell out to special interests.

Phyllis Roche, Lodi

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