Wheeling and Dealing in High Public Office

As the Democratic leader in the Alaska state House of Representatives and as someone Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has campaigned against, let me be the first to stand up for him. Stevens’ commitment to Alaska is beyond reproach. “Senator’s Way to Wealth Was Paved With Favors” (Dec. 17) insinuates and implies sinister connections between Stevens and an array of Alaskans and Alaskan businesses. Preposterous.

We’re a small state in terms of population, and most people who’ve been here for a winter or two know one another. With all due respect, this isn’t L.A. So after 30-plus years of public service and a couple of business busts, Uncle Ted finally lands a couple of big ones. Big deal. That’s the typical Alaska success story. Sure, Stevens pushes hard for Alaska, but without his help, deserving Alaskans wouldn’t have a chance in Washington. To his critics, I say, come on up to Anchorage for a visit. Take a firsthand look; you’ll see how valuable and honorable Stevens’ contributions have been and what a respectable place this really is. And if you stay long enough, you too might get lucky.

Ethan Berkowitz

Anchorage

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Congratulations on the expose on the questionable methodology used by our elected officials in generating wealth while in public service. The “good old boy” network is certainly a way of life in government circles. Assuming all the reported facts are right, how can the Senate Ethics Committee not investigate and reprimand the illustrious Sen. Stevens? The instances cited are undoubtedly violations of the code of ethics or outright felonies. By no stretch of the imagination can his conduct be considered ethical and moral. It was simply a situation of “my turn to dip into the barrel” on his part. I am sure there are many, many more public servants who are dipping into the till. Can The Times keep up the heat on these people and at least try to clean up the mess in Washington and in Sacramento?

S.W. Guzy

Garden Grove

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More power to you, Sen. Stevens! You are an inspiration to all of us who long for unearned and undeserved wealth and are willing to rip off our own country to do it. Let’s all follow Stevens’ lead and increase our nation’s deficit by refusing to pay our taxes this year. It’s not corruption as long as every pig has an equal shot at the trough.

Don Litton

Chatsworth