Controversy Over Complaints by Former Perot Campaigners

* Re: “Ex-Workers in Perot’s Orange County Campaign Seek FBI Probe” (July 5)--Horsefeathers!

No wonder the public considers “journalistic integrity,” like “military intelligence,” to be an oxymoron. The referenced headline screams “dirty politics in the Perot campaign,” but the story that followed offered nothing but the suspicions of a few disgruntled ex-workers with a hodgepodge of innuendo and Perot’s name in 24-point type.

It may sell newspapers, but does it inform the people? Do you care?

That you could find a few disgruntled, ex-Perot campaigners isn’t newsworthy. Disgruntled Americans are the rule, not the exception! Perot gathered 19 million disgruntled Democrats and Republicans and forged a new political movement.

Enough with this stuff about Perot’s “authoritarian style.” The idea that Perot micro-managed the 1992 campaign is laughable. Ross didn’t have the time to do much beyond make his commercials and win the debates. He trusted the volunteers to run local campaigns without his supervision--or his money. Likewise, local folks are organizing chapters of United We Stand America in every congressional district in the country. It could be that the disgruntled ex-Perot workers you spoke to are disgruntled because they won’t be running things.

Sadly, The Times is missing the real story--one of historical proportions. Americans are fed up with old-style politics. They are sick and tired of empty promises and lame excuses. Unlike politicians, the people accept responsibility for letting things get this bad and are willing to sacrifice to pass on a revitalized American dream to our children.

Citizen involvement is what the Perot movement is all about. To quote Thomas Paine, “When the people lead, the leaders will follow!” And to quote Ross Perot, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

MIKE ALTMAN

Tustin

Mike Altman was Orange County coordinator of Perot for President 1992.

* An “interesting” dilemma arises over the monies received from merchandise sales and contributions in the Orange County headquarters during the Perot ’92 campaign.

In the Times article, reference was made to a statement by Marshall Norris (county co-chair and treasurer). It read: “A daily inventory was made of all merchandise,” he said, “and at the end of the day, the cash received always coincided with the value of the merchandise sold.”

Hmmmm! Not one penny difference, day after day after day . . . truly remarkable, particularly in view of the way the monies were handled in the Orange County office.

It is a fact that monies (cash and checks) from contributions and the sale of merchandise collected in the office in Orange County were, as they were received, deposited directly into the same box at the front of the office. There was no record kept of sales or contributions, and no way to separate the two.

If, according to Mr. Norris, the monies always equaled the value of merchandise sold, the natural question is: “What happened to the monies received from contributions?”

BEVERLY WILTSE

Newport Beach

* I question your motives for such a flagrant attack on the United We Stand America movement and on the dedicated volunteers who worked relentlessly to elect Ross Perot to the highest office of our country.

On June 22, 1993, Ross Perot presented to Congress 2.5 million petitions to reduce spending before increasing taxes. Each petition had anywhere from five to 30 signatures. He was assisted by a group of Republican congressmen who applauded the efforts of the American people to be heard.

Your newspaper decided it was not newsworthy and did not print a single word.

On July 5, on the front page, you printed an irresponsible article about campaign fraud by a few disgruntled former volunteers who are seeking an FBI probe and revenge for unknown reasons.

The campaign volunteers should be given a gold medal for the work and dedication to the needed reform of our country’s political system.

It is beyond belief that you chose the 4th of July weekend to print such an unpatriotic piece. What UWSA has already accomplished is unprecedented in the history of this nation.

GLADYS COLLINS

Laguna Hills