A Christian dominionist won the Republican straw poll in Iowa this weekend ("Bachmann wins; Perry's in," Aug. 14) Michele Bachmann believes that as an elected leader she has a divinely ordained duty to transform American government to the dictates of her Christianity, the separation clause of the First Amendment notwithstanding. Though Iowan voters don't represent America as a whole, liberals and progressives should never underestimate the right-wing predilections of the American people.

John G. Bailey, Edgemere