Rep. Jay Kim

* Rep. Jay Kim’s (R-Diamond Bar) recent admission that he violated campaign finance laws (Aug. 1) underscores the continuing investigations occurring in Washington of other countries trying to influence our election system. Prosecutors wanted to pursue felony counts against the congressman but Washington, especially in the current climate, chose to offer misdemeanors instead. This is consistent with Kim’s entire congressional life and the manner in which he was elected; he’s been let off.

Consider that during the 1992 election (and since), the press was full of stories of him becoming the “first Korean American congressman,” as if those were credentials enough. They obviously were because, through the entire campaign, if it wasn’t written down in his little black book written in his tiny scrawl, he would change the subject when asked a specific question.

Hopefully, Korean Americans will understand that this political process is governed by laws that apply to all, regardless of ancestry, wealth or political connections.

What of the constituents of the 41st District? Kim has consistently lied to them when he said he wasn’t guilty and now we find that he knew he had done wrong for years.

When I ran against Kim in 1992 we both signed a pledge with the organization Term Limits, to only serve three terms; his third term ends next year. Mr. Kim, it’s time to stand by your word this time or leave now.

BOB BAKER

Anaheim

* It is more than astonishing, it is almost inconceivable, that Kim would make such an ingenuous statement as “with many lessons learned” following his agreement to plead guilty to accusations of campaign contribution fraud amounting to more than $230,000. He should resign at once, for what lack of education about veracity will be revealed during any future term in his office of trust?

PAUL S. McCAIG

Dana Point