Insurance Commissioner

* Re Bernie Bernheim’s May 1 commentary and Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush: The question on my mind is why it took so long for this chicanery to come to light, for surely there were many in our state capital’s elective offices who were aware of this theft from the outset?

Sacramento is an insider’s city, and nobody does much of anything absent the knowledge of others. These others are surely lying low and are just as guilty as Quackenbush. All this slipping and sliding about sure gives one a lot of confidence in representative government.

D.J. PONDER

Torrance

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* Many voters who do not make dollar contributions to political organizations or candidates must feel they are participating in an election free of charge. How mistaken these voters are has been demonstrated one more time with the revelation that insurance companies, rather than paying fines to the people of California, were allowed to contribute to an “earthquake” foundation at a discount of less than one-half cent on the dollar.

Political officeholders should owe their complete allegiance to the electorate. This does not happen today because outrageous campaign costs are fueled by special-interest contributions. In the long run, it will cost the electorate much less and they will be far better served if both salaries and regulated campaign costs of officeholders are completely financed by the public. Only then will the electorate of this country become the special interest.

DEAN O. SKOVLIN

Northridge

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* Quackenbush complained about the sharp questioning he experienced in front of a legislative panel (April 28). Sharp questioning, indeed! Thoughts of “scam” and “criminal conspiracy” come to mind. Are there no judicial authorities to charge, prosecute and convict an elected official who so blatantly abuses the public trust?

DON SHAW

Los Angeles

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* Consider the facts unearthed in the investigations of the “sweetheart” deals between our insurance commissioner and insurance companies and the criminal actions perpetrated by members of the Rampart Division police force. What do these have in common? And how could these have been prevented?

Both were committed in the course of performing public service. Both reflect gross abuse of power. Our government was established with checks and balances to try to prevent abuse of power. That may help, but it certainly is not the total solution. I think our schools, churches and homes need to concentrate more on instilling the true spirit of public service: the sense of gratification from helping and serving the needs of our fellow man.

GEORGE EPSTEIN

Los Angeles