New Jersey Attorney General Peter Verniero says he wants to "help take the
profit out of dealing drugs ("Attorney general outlines new, tougher drug
laws," Dec. 10).

He wants to do this by taking all the property of accused drug dealers
before they have been convicted of any crime. At the same time, he proposes
to increase the crowding in our prisons by lengthening jail time for small
drug dealers. He also wants the police to be able to use wiretaps without
making their case to a judge.

Republicans have earned a reputation for prizing smaller government and
protection of our liberties. But the Attorney General's Office has other
priorities.

Don Raichle,
Irvington