Anthony Beilenson
Re “Beilenson to Retire at End of Term,” Nov. 2:
When I lived in North Carolina in the late 1980s and got more than a bellyful of the chicanery of its politics, I would wax nostalgic about my congressman back home: no special interest money ever, no gifts from corporations, no fancy trips from lobbyists, stances on principle that could go against the party line. What a concept: an unflagging focus on taking care of us, not himself.
The jaded Southern politicos thought I was just a nutty Californian with flighty ideas of grandeur. Not at all. I was talking about the most honorable member of Congress, and for three decades, like the last unfailing beacon of light amid the spreading fog, he has been a constant example of what public service is supposed to be but rarely is anymore.
Tony, we will all miss you!
JOAN H. LEONARD
Sherman Oaks
* Now that Beilenson and the rest of his ilk have done enough financial damage in the past 20 to 30 years to cause the ship to start sinking, they are deserting like the rats they are!
JOHN N. LEVI JR.
Los Angeles
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