I was disheartened by Sen. Orrin Hatch's full-page political ad, "It's Utah's Time to Lead" (Tribune, June 25).

Hatch has clout among GOP Senators who love assault weapons and reject global warming. But where was he with his balanced budget amendment when President George W. Bush's tax cuts sent federal debt stratospheric?

Hatch wants to "return our public lands back to the state" (French for "drill, baby, drill"), claiming children and schools will benefit. Of course, for Republicans, highways always come first.

Repealing Romney-Obamacare would leave a shrinking middle class at the mercy of greed-driven health insurance. And saving Hill Air Force Base, regardless of the nation's need, puts Hatch in bed with the big-government military-industrial complex. Clearly, Hatch exhibits a geriatric obsession for looking backward.

Utah and the nation have desperate needs: clean air, alternative energy, banks one can trust, a sensible immigration policy, a financially sound Social Security and Medicare and a fair, equitable tax that funds restoration of a crumbling infrastructure and reduces unemployment.

Most of all we need a senator who is not hell-bent on destroying President Barack Obama and who is willing to compromise. Democrat Scott Howell looks spectacular in comparison.

Ron Molen

Salt Lake City