Letters: Nov. 15, 1982

PAC Power

To the Editors:

It is difficult to believe that politicians who take money from the political action committees [Oct. 25] do not sell their votes. A law should forbid a Congressman or Senator from voting on a bill after receiving more than $100 from anyone who would benefit from his vote.

Pauls s Joseph North Hollywood, Calif.

Your article on PACs reinforced my long-held conviction that any branch of government can be bought.

Herman P. West Whitsett, N.C.

The public interest seems to have been gobbled up by government of the PACs, by the PACs, and for the PACs.

John O. Hayward Lexington, Mass.

I must object to your implication that campaign contributions influenced my voting record on the Clean Air Act. Contributors to my 1980 campaign for the U.S. Senate had no idea what my committee assignments would be. My eventual appointment to the Environment and Public Works Committee, where I have become closely involved with revising the Clean Air Act, was unknown to me until January of 1981. I and many of my colleagues established our positions on issues before entering public office. We receive support from those who work to elect like-minded people to Congress. That is what representation is all about.

Steve Symms U.S. Senator, Idaho Washington, D.C.

Your cover story on the financing of federal elections calls attention to an issue that Congress must address, especially when we see extravagant expenditures by candidates and committees. I have introduced a bill providing for public matching funds in general elections for U.S. Senators. The plan is based on small contributions from a broad spectrum of individual contributors. It also places a limit on the amount of money candidates who opt for public financing can spend.

Alan J. Dixon U.S. Senator, Illinois Washington, D.C.

You give more attention to business PACS than to labor PACs. In our research, James Kau and I have found that labor PACS are more successful in influencing voting. For example, in examining ten key congressional votes in 1980, we found that union PACs affected voting significantly in six cases, business in only three. Business obviously is not as skilled as the unions in using its contributions.

Paul H. Rubin, Professor of Economics Baruch College New York City

TIME erred in its implication that Lockheed's political action committee supported five Senators because of their interest in the C-5 program. Three of the five Senators opposed Lockheed's position on the C5. As a matter of policy, Lockheed's PAC does not concern itself with single issues. Each of the five Senators shown on your chart is an advocate of a sound national defense. It is this record that has earned them the support of Lockheed employees.

H. David Crowther, Chairman Lockheed Political Action Committee Burbank, Calif.

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