Republicans and Impeachment

Moderate Republicans, in repudiation of frighteningly aggressive, ultraconservatives within their own party, helped elect President Clinton. Unwilling to accept the rejection of their far-right agenda, this element and its faceless lobbyists have insidiously wormed into the foundation of our democracy and threaten our electoral process with its contrived case to remove the people’s choice from office. This is where we should look to uncover treasonable offenses. I hope Americans will shed their feelings of apathy and futility to fight for and defend our precious democratic heritage.

KATHLEEN BURNSIDE

La Habra

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Clinton denied Gennifer Flowers. Clinton denied Monica Lewinsky. Clinton denied committing perjury. Maybe Clinton should be denied the presidency.

MIKE BLAZENSKI

Tehachapi

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Impeachment without removing President Clinton from office is the “censure” that best serves the American people. While it leaves the president in office, which is what most of us want, it also sends a strong message to Clinton and all presidents hereafter: The office of the president is not to be abused, the conduct of the president is to be of the utmost standards and yes, character does matter.

We need to let our public officials know that the American people will not stand for this kind of abhorrent behavior ever again. Let’s put a little fear into the office of the president and, in return, the American people will get a little respect.

LARRY JOHNSON

Toluca Lake

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Censure not mentioned in the Constitution? I doubt that sexual improprieties are mentioned as grounds for impeachment, either.

TONI STEIN

Los Angeles

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Re “A Question of Truth and Consequences,” Dec. 13: The Democratic Party and President Clinton are presiding over the demise of courage in our culture. You report that he can’t admit he lied for legal, political and personal reasons.

We teach our children that the definition of courage is to do the right thing regardless of the personal consequences. Every 9-year-old knows that this president has lied. To watch the Democrats’ and the president’s attempts to evade accountability for this is a lesson to a whole generation that expediency and self-interest have made courage a lost concept.

BRUCE ZISKIN

Manhattan Beach

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Re “Starr Denies Lewinsky Was Bullied,” Dec. 13: Why is it that we are supposed to accept as truth everything that Lewinsky said about her relationship with President Clinton, yet when she said that prosecutors threatened her with a long jail term, threatened her mother with prosecution, prevented her from speaking to her lawyer and asked her to tape conversations with President Clinton and his friend Vernon Jordan, we are told by Kenneth Starr that Lewinsky’s “perception” is “untrustworthy”? Why is it a fact when leveled at the president but an “incorrect inference” by Lewinsky when it relates to the tactics of the independent counsel’s office?

FAITH C’DEALVA

Marina del Rey

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Clinton unknowingly may accomplish the greatest feat of his presidency: The ultimate defeat of the Republican Party. For with these impeachment proceedings, impossible for his enemies to resist and immensely unpopular with the voting electorate, he has given the Republican Party the ultimate sword to fall on.

JOHN KRUEGER

Venice

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Dear President Clinton: You’ve done countless great things for this nation. I thank you. Millions of my fellow Americans, I know, also thank you.

Now, go.

STAN KAPLAN

Santa Monica

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The Republicans on the Judiciary Committee claim that the president has committed perjury and obstructed justice, and therefore is unfit to remain in office. Yet a number of House Republicans have said that if Clinton were to admit that he lied under oath, they would be inclined to vote against impeachment.

How, I wonder, would such an admission lessen the seriousness of the alleged crimes and suddenly render Clinton once again qualified to be president? Could it be that these Republicans are more interested in exacting their pound of flesh than in saving the union from an unfit president?

MICHAEL HORSTEIN

Los Angeles

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I don’t mind it if the Republicans want to commit suicide. But I resent their efforts to try to fly the plane when they do it.

ROBERT W. HOMAN

Manhattan Beach

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It’s a sad day for America. The fairness and generosity of spirit that have long been the hallmark of our nation have been replaced by petty partisanship and meanness. If a prosecutor with unlimited resources can bring down the president of the United States, who among us is safe? Shame on the Republicans. They have disgraced themselves and our country.

ROBERT MARKS

Los Angeles

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Memo to Clinton: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

MARCY WHITE

Culver City

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To paraphrase Dr. Johnson’s famous aphorism about a false or manipulative patriotism, “The rule of law is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” Like a magnet, President Clinton seems to draw the self-righteous, sanctimonious and opportunistic hatred and venom of our country’s moral pygmies. There must be much good to a person who can do that.

ROGER CARASSO

Northridge

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I have heard members of the majority party discuss President Clinton’s need to “reconcile himself with the law.” I wonder when congressional Republicans will reconcile themselves with the will of the American people?

VIKRAM DHAWAN

Los Angeles

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If every man (or woman) who has had an affair and lied about it would send $5 to any candidate in 2000 who runs against a representative who voted for impeachment, then we would have no more of the self-righteous nonsense we have recently seen. My suggestion is that Rep. Henry Hyde be the first to send in his $5.

JERRIE NEWMAN

Camarillo

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I’m against impeachment. It will set a bad precedent. Future presidents won’t be able to have affairs, or lie. Ordinary people do this all the time.

JOHN SANTORA

Aliso Viejo

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The Republicans have made me do something I did not think was possible. They have made me hate my government.

JOHN RILEY

Studio City

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In my years of political awareness, either in the U.S. or Great Britain, I recall no incident comparable to what we are presently experiencing, where elected and paid representatives are pursuing an agenda that is diametrically opposed to the wishes of the greater majority of the general public. Whether or not this can be termed arrogance or elitist, it is a dangerous, reprehensible manifestation of power without accountability.

STEPHEN MAITLAND-LEWIS

Palm Springs