Feinstein and China’s Influence

Thank you for the March 28 article chronicling the conflict of interest Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) faces with her husband’s business interests in China.

It is mind-boggling that a politician cannot see this potential conflict of interest. When she is in a position to influence legislation regarding China and when her husband is in a position to profit from those decisions, that’s a definite conflict.

There has been much published about China’s attempts to influence the Democratic administration by laundering illegal contributions through various Asian organizations; millions of dollars have been returned as a result. If China shows a proclivity for such tactics, what’s to stop its leaders from offering Feinstein’s husband lucrative business contracts to curry favor with the senator?

Feinstein should excuse herself when voting in the Senate on issues relating to China or should eliminate all personal business interests in that country.

GREGG McCONNELL

Newbury Park

I am at a loss to understand all of the fuss about whether China donated money to the Clinton election campaign. My question is, “What if China did?” How would that be different from political donations from other lobbying groups? How does China’s presumable conduct differ from the tobacco, NRA, gay-lesbian or union lobbies?

Is it not the height of hypocrisy to be outraged by a country seeking political influence where our country throughout its history has publicly or surreptitiously fed money and military aid to factions in Chile, El Salvador, Iran and Nicaragua, to name a few, with the intent of fomenting revolution or suppressing it? I’m reminded of a scene in the movie “Casablanca” where the police chief cries out, “I’m shocked, shocked!” on presumably learning that gambling is being conducted in Rick’s establishment--all the while collecting his gambling winnings.

LOU MORHEIM

Los Angeles