Japanese Lobby

I never thought that I would see the day that I would be in agreement with Pat Buchanan, but for his column “Mercenaries Deal Away Our Interests” (Opinion, Jan. 14) he deserves praise for going public on one of the great corruptions of our time.

It is, however, a disappointment that when he listed the “good Americans” who have sold themselves for foreign money, he forgot about his former boss, Ronald Reagan. When Reagan moved into the White House, this country was unquestionably the No. 1 industrial and economic power in the world, and when he went back to California that title belonged to Japan.

It was the greatest transfer of wealth in history and while it may only be a coincidence that it happened on “Reagan’s watch,” anybody who believes that the Japanese paid him several million dollars just to hear him make a couple of speeches, probably thinks (former House Speaker) Jim Wright is a best-selling author.

SANFORD THIER

Irvine