Living high off the public trough

Re “Cedillo donors pay for luxuries,” April 11

State Sen. Gil Cedillo’s (D-Los Angeles) lavish spending with money obtained from people seeking political favor is just one of many examples of untethered corruption that have bankrupted our financial and political systems.

As supplies dwindle at food banks trying to feed the less fortunate, Cedillo feasts on lavish meals and roosts in luxury resorts with little or no accountability.

As for his justification for those extravagant overseas sojourns, I would like to see some proof of the tangible benefits to our state from even just one of these trips.

Unfortunately, he is unlikely to be toppled from his throne. Our quirky political system often begets the best candidate we can buy.

John T. Chiu

Newport Beach

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The Times’ headline has it wrong: As long as public office can be bought and paid for by corporations and labor unions, taxpayers foot the bill for prima donna legislators like Cedillo.

As a progressive Democrat, I urge you to forget the cigar bars and fancy ties for the moment and do a little digging into the sweetheart legislation that results from the feathering of these grifters’ nests.

Jon K. Williams

Goleta