Senate Rejects Bork Nomination
I enthusiastically agree with the observations made by Leonard Fein in his column “Furor Over Bork Amounts to a Celebration of Republican Democracy (Op-Ed Page, Oct. 23). My fascination with democracy in action during the confirmation hearings for Judge Robert Bork turned to horror as I realized that the current White House mentality was turning the phrase “special interests” into a political “dirty word.” Concerned citizens, especially those elected to represent all of us, should not succumb to the tendency to give Republican and Democracy a small “r” and a small “d” interpretation in the guise of celebrating the birthday of our Constitution.
After hearing Barbara Jordan’s eloquent plea to the confirmation committee, I feel even more firmly that special interest groups (of which she an obvious member of at least three) are the foundation of the democratic process, not its nemesis.
Those who now roam the halls of the house on Pennsylvania Avenue should reflect on the fact that the middle six letters of Republican are “public.”
As Fein intimates, the hearings actually exalted the phrase “We, the people,” not “They, the people.” Thus, the Bork hearings regardless of their outcome, are truly a reflection of democracy in action.
RICHARD SHENBAUM
West Covina
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