Sen. Campbell

When can we ever expect those elected to public office to understand that they are sent there as our representatives? Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s (Colo.) switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican (March 4) is the most recent act of “thumbing one’s nose” at those who worked for, donated funds and then voted as a majority to have him become their representative in Washington.

I support his freedom to choose his own course of action, but not after those Democratic voters gave him the majority when he ran for the office of senator The least he can do is to emulate what Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas did when he switched from Democrat to Republican, i.e. resign and then run for election as a Republican.

ROCCO L. MOTTO

Los Angeles

Re “A Change of Label, Not of Mind,” Column Right, March 7: If Cal Thomas thinks that the Republicans won a majority in the last congressional elections because the American people agree with the GOP’s “ideology,” he’s been breathing Republican hot air for too long. The Grumpy Old Party’s victory was due more to a destructive but highly effective plan of obstructionism against the mandate that Bill Clinton won in 1992.

However, Thomas should not fear. The chances of someone with the pro-choice, pro-labor, pro-human rights views of Campbell being fully accepted in the clubby confines of the party of Newt Gingrich and Gramm are slim indeed. I look forward to Sen. Campbell’s shock and realization as he and the rest of the American majority finally comprehend that the Republicans stand for the narrow economic elite and the intolerant social fringe, not the vast American middle class.

COBY KING

Los Angeles