Government Contracts

* Tucked away inside the Business section was yet another Bush administration move friendly to business and let the law be damned [“White House Suspends New Contracting Rule,” March 31].

What is even more bothersome is the fact that we know of only a few of the Bush administration’s suspensions and revocations. How many more go unreported?

With amazing speed, Bush is chipping away at every responsible piece of legislation of the Clinton administration.

Suspending the rule that prevents the government from awarding contracts to bidders who have violated environmental, labor, tax or other federal laws is rewarding unlawful conduct.

This may be good for labor and business in the short run, but it sends the wrong message with far-reaching effects. The message again is that there are no consequences to unlawful conduct.

And this from conservatives who decry a lack of moral fiber in our nation?

STEPHANY YABLOW

Sherman Oaks

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* I wonder exactly which “business groups” persuaded the president that it’s unfair to withhold government contracts from lawbreakers. Is it possible they have some connection to Texas, perhaps to natural gas or electricity?

SALEM SPITZ

Cerritos

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* This rule would have prevented bidders who have broken environmental, labor, tax or other federal laws from being awarded government contracts. Business groups have sued, arguing that “linking contract awards to violations of laws is unfair.”

It would have been interesting to know who these business groups are that feel that our government must continue to do business with lawbreakers. Also, it would have been of interest to know who met with whom in the White House before the regulation was suspended.

Do they care that they put honest, law-abiding business at a disadvantage?

EMIL LAWTON

Sherman Oaks