Outlook for Bush’s Business Policies

* “With Bush, Happy Days Here Again for Business Lobby” (March 25) tells us how happy the business lobby is that the Bush administration is relaxing environmental and safety regulations. Yet “Corporate Profits Getting Squeezed on All Sides” (Business) shows us that during the past eight years, while these same regulations were in force or being implemented, corporate earnings of the S&P; 500 index rose from $22.20 to $56 per share, for a 152% gain. There is little evidence in these numbers that the regulations were harming business.

Reducing regulations might result in higher executive bonuses or the short-term relative advantage of one company over another, but in the aggregate, corporate earnings reflect consumer confidence and ability of consumers to spend. Reducing the quality of life and environment for consumers and their progeny will not help business. It will depress confidence, depress spending and in turn depress corporate profits.

JIM ROBERTSON

Santa Ana

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The 2001 Bushmobile has hit the showroom! Its steering wheel can only turn right. Its transmission only goes in reverse. It’s a gas guzzler. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $1.6 trillion. The prototype was certified by state of Florida officials and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

WATANA CHAROENRATH

Agoura Hills

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Re “Bush Budget Seeks Child Program Cuts,” March 24: That President Bush would seek paltry reductions in “compassionate” programs is an indication that his budget is in trouble and he needs a few billion here, a few billion there. The Congress will not go along with only a 4% spending increase. Even President Reagan, with more clout, could not control spending.

Given the present economy, Bush will not be able to cancel a major fighter program or close any bases. If he wants a radically restructured military, it will be on top of the massive bank of present programs, not their cancellation. To maintain his budget--with a tax cut--Bush, like his predecessors, and aided by a Republican Congress, will resort to “smoke and mirrors.”

DOVE MENKES

Fullerton