Kemp Deserves Credit for His Courage

In the article on Jack Kemp voicing his opposition to Proposition 187 (Oct. 20), Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) was quoted as saying Kemp “should have kept his mouth shut.”

Who does Rohrabacher think he is? Mr. Kemp accurately points out the proposition won’t work and that its only value is as a statement to the federal government to do something. While I agree with Kemp, Rohrabacher’s comment is just plain stupid.

Kemp should be lauded for his “guts” in speaking his mind, not toeing the party line (if indeed it is the party line). Staying “quiet” panders to the lack of information most of the public has on the issue.

Such conduct gives us two things: (1) representatives who don’t serve our interests by having issues explored by intelligent dialogue through the exchange of differing opinions; and (2) continues our election of representatives who just say whatever it takes to get elected. Obviously this is the way Mr. Rohrabacher conducts himself.

To think that if a differing opinion by any Republican once voiced will keep one or more Republicans from being elected is infantile. Playing the “game of politics” has gone on long enough. All this game has done is make our system unable to accomplish anything, beyond employing the likes of Rohrabacher, and provides government to the lowest common denominator. I, for one, feel we deserve more, such as what Jack Kemp provides, intelligent dialogue.

MICHAEL R. DUNLEVIE

Costa Mesa