Divided They Stand

The divergent loyalties of California’s two U.S. senators are a conflict between an allegiance to the heart, in the case of Sen. Barbara Boxer, versus fidelity to campaign contributors, in the case of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (“The Evolution of Two Political Animals,” by Nina J. Easton, Nov. 19).

Without Feinstein’s vote, cash-rich manufacturers would not have succeeded in passing legislation earlier this year, opposed by every consumer group in the nation, that drastically limits manufacturers’ liability and makes it affordable for corporations to maim, murder and sterilize in the name of profit. Boxer voted with the losers of the legislation, consumers whose lives and health have been devastated by dangerous products.

Pfizer concealed knowledge of the defective Bjork-Shiley Convexo-Concave heart valve through 1990, while last year contributing $4,500 to Feinstein. Baxter made silicone gel breast implants despite studies of silicone’s effects on the immune systems of laboratory animals. It gave $1,000 toward Feinstein’s campaign.

Boxer voted to protect California consumers. Feinstein voted to protect her campaign war chest in Washington. It’s greed that separates these two public officials.

Jamie Court

Los Angeles

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You forgot to mention Feinstein’s greatest contribution to American politics: the Angry White Male. He and his fellow captains of industry were empowered by Feinstein’s gun ban in last summer’s anti-crime legislation. This, coming on the heels of the government’s dehumanization of Angry White Males, and of Ruby Ridge and Waco, led to the election of a Republican-controlled Congress. And what did they accomplish? Not much, thanks to a Newt-phobic liberal news media and an aristocratic, antediluvian Senate typified by Bob Dole and Ted Kennedy. All this came about because of Feinstein’s bumbling activism. With enemies like her, who needs friends?

Kenneth A. Eaton

North Hills

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Let us not forget that Boxer was one of the leaders of the check-bouncing scandal while a member of the House. It was also senatorial hopeful Boxer who gave the OK to campaign strategists to smear her opponent personally during the stretch run in the ’92 elections.

But most importantly, Boxer has spent the better part of her senatorial term taking aim at colleagues and schmoozing with the Clintons. Meanwhile, Californians are experiencing a steadily declining standard of living, are shouldering an immense tax burden and have to contend with an ever-increasing wave of illegal aliens, crime, congestion and politicians who boast loudly and actually do little.

Lawrence M. Kates

Los Angeles