Trading Honorariums for a Pay Raise

Sara Fritz’s excellent and revealing article (Part I, Dec. 19) on the perks of being in Congress illustrates so well the poor example set by our representatives in Washington and their utter disregard for our sensibilities regarding their pay.

In addition to all these startling revelations dug out by Fritz, I need to point out that increasing congressional salaries by 50% to adjust for inflation is unjustified. Even if Congress did not directly cause the inflation, they certainly permitted it and promoted policies that encouraged it. They don’t deserve rewards for that.

Meanwhile, retirees, like me, who live on their previous savings, first have to suffer the inflationary loss, then again are asked to pay the extra salaries to make up for it.

GEORGE E. GOURRICH

Beverly Hills