Campaign Finance Reform

Re “Campaign Finance Debate Begins on Shaky Ground,” Sept. 27:

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott’s (R-Miss.) plan to have union members OK political contributions would be OK, if corporate political contributions would also be OKd by all shareholders.

PETER GRANT

Van Nuys

Among other things, the incumbent Republicans and Democrats are very bad for my blood pressure. How dare they think that I should fall for their self-serving baloney?

These fatuous liars equate bribe money with free speech, and are now carrying on a charade debate that has been forced upon them by recent events. At most, campaign reform is likely to be so watered down as to invite the usual circumventions. Our democracy is becoming a sham in deference to money and special interests. How poor and powerless can the poor and powerless become?

HARRY MASS

Tarzana

Re the flap (Sept. 26) about Vice President Al Gore and President Clinton soliciting funds from the White House, because it is illegal to do that from a federal building:

I am, therefore, to believe that each senator or representative leaves his office in the Senate or House of Representatives buildings, federal buildings, and goes to a public phone to solicit funds for his party or campaign. Logic, wherefore art thou?

I read, some time ago, that each senator must raise $15,000 daily for his/her reelection. They must keep their pockets filled with quarters.

ELROY SCHWARTZ

Palm Springs

“Why Clinton Wears Teflon Shield So Well” by Christopher Matthews (Column Left, Sept. 25) shows why liberals should not be allowed to run this country. Matthews seems to think that “everyone does it” means we should let the criminal activity in our government continue. Instead of looking for the immutable and unchangeable truth, he and liberals like him prefer to turn their backs and stare at shades of gray. Let’s ask ourselves:

Have laws been broken? Answer: yes. Changing the laws will stop people from breaking them? Answer: no. Should the law- breakers be punished? Answer: yes. Will the lawbreakers be punished? Answer: not if Matthews has his way. Will America vote the criminals out of office? Answer:?

PAUL YOUNG

Inglewood

Republicans in Congress want you to believe there’s no hanky-panky on their side, when it comes to campaign finance. Yet they’re the same Republicans who are not interested in campaign finance reform. When it was their turn to answer questions, Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) just stopped the hearings (Sept. 20). Both sides have to cooperate on this important matter, and give the American people some substantive campaign finance reform.

PRISCILLA LAZZARA

La Puente