Campaign Finance Reform

Re “Senate Votes Kill Campaign Finance Reform for Year,” Oct. 20: Imagine an election where there were limits on contributions and contributors. We could have fewer high-priced PR representatives putting words in their candidates’ mouths in those far-too-soon, expensive and obnoxious TV commercials. Candidates would have to make more low-key appearances in front of their constituencies, tell us their position on real issues and answer questions about things we care about. We would vote them in based not on who could build the biggest “war chest” but on those things that we see as important.

But this is not to be; Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and his cohorts in Congress have seen to that. We are poorly served and will continue to be until we develop some outrage at this type of attitude by our elected officials and express it succinctly.

ANNIE AYALA JELNICK

Long Beach

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A week of madness: Senate Republicans defeat nuclear test ban treaty, placing partisanship above the safety of ourselves and our children. House Republicans pull hate-crime provisions--covering sexual orientation, gender and disability--from a recent bill.

Senate Republicans thwart ban on soft money, continuing easy access to congressional offices for big contributors. Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) vows to hold up nomination of black former Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun as ambassador to New Zealand because she won’t apologize for basically arguing the stars and bars Confederate flag is a symbol of slavery.

Hey American voters--are you catching all this?

BRODERICK MILLER

Los Angeles

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I contribute $50 to the political party of my choice. That’s my right to speak freely. You contribute $10,000 or more to the political party of your choice. That sounds more like someone shouting “fire” in a theater.

WARREN MILLER

West Hollywood