Disparity in Drug Sentences

* Re “Fix Overdue in Sentencing Law,” editorial, May 1: Allowing politicians to set the sentencing levels for drug offenses makes as much sense as letting Jerry Falwell design sex education curricula--it’s an invitation to the worst abuses of demagoguery. Those abuses are well demonstrated by the huge increases in the federal prison population in the last 10 years, and the discriminatory effect of the crack cocaine sentences, which are 100 times more severe than those for powder cocaine.

The demagogues reflexively created a racially discriminatory law without having to appear overtly racist. They can’t openly discriminate against blacks, but a drug law that falls far more heavily on blacks than whites is the next best thing. It appeals to the base instincts, fear and loathing that propel far too much of our politics.

Sentencing guidelines should be left to the Sentencing Commission, with as little meddling from politicians as possible.

SCOTT KREMER

Petaluma

* The disparity in cocaine terms appears to me to be a nonissue. If someone doesn’t like the penalty for a crime, don’t commit the crime. If the cocaine terms were made similar, they should both have the stricter penalty.

TIM McCARTNEY

Carson