Warren Rudman

In the midst of all the turmoil preceding a presidential election, we may not recognize the sad implications of the announcement by Sen. Warren B. Rudman (R-N.H.) that he will not seek reelection (March 25).

He sees Congress and the Administration as being motivated by political ends rather than national best interest. He asks his fellow senators, “What have you got to lose but your jobs if you do the unpopular thing?” The odd thing is that many in Congress risked their lives in war, but can’t risk doing the right thing on the job.

And he sees we, the people, as aiding and abetting those selfish motives by our endless demands for each special and individual interest to be sheltered from the responsibility of making the country work.

If a really good man like Rudman leaves office out of frustration and despair, are we to be left with only the self-serving types? Leadership takes guts, and so does “followship.”

HARRY MASS

Tarzana