Corruption Convictions

* The Dec. 2 Times carried two unrelated stories, regarding lobbyist-politician convictions in Sacramento and the impending retirement of Los Angeles County Supervisor Ed Edelman. The juxtaposition is instructive.

Edelman’s long and productive career in public life was achieved without bravado or a hint of scandal. Fortunately, there are many decent, hard-working elected officials who care deeply about their profession and their constituents. However, their reputations are tarnished in the public’s mind by a system where reelection depends so much on fund-raising, and by those mortals who succumb to the potential for the venality inherent in such a system.

That system needs to be changed for the better. Political campaign contribution and expenditure reforms are in order. While they cannot guarantee ethical behavior, they certainly will tend to create a better climate where more time and attention are spent on public policy and less on fund-raising. One would hope that that will produce better public policy.

When that time comes, we will attract better candidates and public officials, who, like Ed Edelman, can leave enduring and positive impressions on the political landscape.

JOHN VAN DE KAMP

Los Angeles

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* Your call to take power and influence away from the lobbyists and return it to the people by enacting a system of campaign finance reform (editorial, Dec. 5), in the wake of the convictions of lobbyist Clayton R. Jackson and former state Sen. Paul B. Carpenter, is one that every Californian should be applauding.

After handing down the verdicts, the jurors noted that California’s system of financing elections helped make the crimes possible. The lack of any restrictions on how money can be raised and spent totally undermines our belief that government’s mission is to work for everyone. To restore public confidence in our government, we need to establish a comprehensive campaign finance system to control the source and amount of contributions.

How that reform is accomplished--whether it’s through voluntary spending limits and public financing, as advocated by The Times, or strict contribution limits and bans on transfers, bundling and off-year fund-raising, as freshman Assemblyman Jan Goldsmith (R-Poway) and I have proposed in our AB 1993--is less important than the bottom line. California needs a far-reaching, comprehensive solution, not piecemeal, window-dressing reform.

DEBRA BOWEN

Assembly, D-Marina del Rey

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* I have been reading your accounts of the trial of Jackson, the lobbyist. It seems he was convicted of the crime of lobbying. I always perceived the job of a lobbyist was to use his resources to influence legislation. As Jess Unruh is famous for saying, “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.” Is it any wonder why someone running for high office will spend huge amounts of (other people’s) money for an $80,000 a year job? Then, as soon as they are elected, they’re out there raising money for their reelection. Our legislators are responsible for the spending of billions of dollars, and through their taxing and regulatory powers can cost companies billions of dollars. You can’t blame the companies for wanting to influence the legislators.

How about limiting campaign contributions by any entity, for any office, to $100 per entity, be it a person, corporation, or PAC. This should keep a politician from being beholden to anyone. Increase the term of office to five years, but only one term. Finally, prohibit all lawyers from running for public office. Just kidding, Mr. Lincoln.

RUDOLPH F. SILVA

Brea