‘What’s Wrong With Congress’

In her article of Jan. 26, Fritz writes extensively and well about the “impotence” and lack of responsibility of Congress. However, she does not mention the virtual one-party control of Congress that has existed in this country for almost a half century.

The Democrats have had a majority in the House of Representatives for all but four (1947-48, 1953-54) of the last 56 years. The Democrats had majorities in both houses of Congress for all but four (1947-48, 1953-54) of the 48 years preceding the Reagan Administration. The Republicans had a majority in the Senate for a six-year period (1981-1986). There were the best years of the Reagan Administration.

These Democratic majorities in both Houses of Congress prevailed through both Republican and Democratic Administrations--through all but two of the Depression years of the 1930s, through World War II, through most of the war in South Korea, and through all of the Vietnam War years. Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress also prevailed during the Carter Administration (1977-1980). It was during these years that double-digit inflation reached 13.5% for 1980 and interest rates soared over 19%.

Thus it is suggested that before voting in November, we consider not only the candidates, their rhetoric and promises, but that we consider also the record of the political party they represent.

ROBERT WILKINS

Los Angeles