GOP misses the fun zone

Re “Retirement season hits the GOP hard,” Oct. 16

A stronger Democratic Congress, and even a Democratic administration, are exactly what the GOP needs to get its party back in order. Rep. Ray LaHood’s (R-Ill.) remark on how being the minority is “not that much fun” affirms the wrong attitude the GOP has about governance. Republicans have become so accustomed to being in the majority that they believe political power is something that should be fed to them with a silver spoon. They’ve stopped being reformers and have become nothing more than power-spoiled brats. It is time for voters to weed out the Republican leaders who have become lethargic because of their long tenure in Congress. Until the Republicans get their act together, the Democrats will have to be the default party that runs our country.

Luke Lee

Fullerton

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LaHood’s quote struck me as the crux of the entire, and entirely maddening, problem. “I don’t like being in the minority,” he said. “It’s not that much fun.” Governing is not supposed to be about being in the cool clique and having fun. It’s about a desire to make this country work better and a call to fulfill the ideals of the Constitution. This quote speaks volumes about the reasons why the Congress of the last 13 years has failed, almost to the letter, to do anything besides submit to partisan bickering, pander to a fanatical base and line its pockets with special-interest pork.

Martha Marion

Los Angeles

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It’s striking how many Republicans who urge “stay the course” in Iraq are themselves “cutting and running” in the face of the upcoming elections.

Thomas Fuchs

West Hollywood