Assembly Speaker Sends the Wrong Signal

Last fall, Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) voiced his wish that Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), running as a segregationist, had won his 1948 race for president. Lott’s comment was unimportant relative to terrorism, the invasion of Iraq and budget deficits, but its symbolism was large enough to cost him his job as U.S. Senate majority leader.

Similarly, California Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson’s (D-Culver City) “hiring” of six personal consultants for $350,000 is tiny relative to the state’s $35-billion budget deficit. “Wesson Doles Out Contracts to Allies” (April 4) quoted Tim Hodson of the Center for California Studies at Cal State Sacramento: “People look at this as a symbol and say, ‘That’s why we don’t like government, that’s why we’re not sure there’s a budget deficit.’ ” Wesson should resign at once. He doesn’t “get it” any more than did Lott.

David C. Campbell

Los Angeles

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Wesson said it all when he said, “I’m big on people that can help me.” California is undergoing a huge budget crunch (because the state legislators spent money like drunken sailors in 1998-2001). Now Wesson is giving away $350,000 of tax money to his friends for do-nothing work. This is sleazy and inexcusable.

Chris Knox

Torrance