Trent Lott

Once again Trent Lott is true to form with his politically partisan U.N.-bashing (Feb. 26), and once again he has cast aside a constructive role in the nation’s leadership in favor of playing partisan political games.

I think that perhaps the shoes of the Senate majority leader are too big for the current occupant. We need and we deserve better political leadership than this.

CHARLES CHRISTIAN

Santa Barbara

* On Feb. 25 I found one of the most significant stories of our times on Page A4, “Lott Ties Up Campaign Reform Legislation.” You were able to get the Starr investigation on the front page, as well as the state treasurer’s link to Asian contributions. A brutal killer shared the front page, along with a photo of his previous victim, without hands.

Am I reading a tabloid or a respected newspaper? Campaign finance reform is probably the most significant item facing the future of our country.

SANFORD DUROFF

Tarzana

* Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) gave the GOP weekly radio address, in which he called on Congress to defeat the McCain-Feingold bill to reform campaign contributions (Feb. 22). Listening to this cornball senator invoke the “Founding Fathers” and the 1st Amendment and the right to have yard signs and bumper stickers is enough to turn one’s stomach.

If the Founding Fathers were around today, they would be disgusted with the corrupting influence of the enormous contributions that only the most naive believe do not come with the expectation of a quid pro quo. This has subverted democracy and made cynics of too many voters. Not satisfied with the fact that incumbents, and the Republican Party, already garner the largest amount of these funds, this senator backs a bill to deny unions the ability to help liberal causes. Is there an agenda among ultraconservatives to turn this country into an oligarchy?

LEN ZIRALDO

West Hills