Who has power, and why

Re “Governor talks, and funds flow,” Dec. 14

The governor of Illinois was recently indicted for “pay to play” politics and allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. Your article about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger included a table documenting his public appearances on behalf of donors and the amounts of their donations to his political and governmental causes.

Isn’t this pay to play? Why was the Illinois governor indicted -- because he was bolder and caught on tape?

Jay Slosar

Irvine

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After 55 years as a journalist and as an internal public relations officer with government and private industry, I am tired of “disclosure” year after year about lobbyists, corporations and institutions contributing money to the campaign funds of presidents, senators, members of Congress, governors, members of state assemblies and senates, county supervisors, mayors and city council members. Of course these groups give money to politicians -- they always have and they always will.

Do the contributions get them the special attention of elected officials on every level? Of course they do -- they always have and they always will. Some contributors want to be able to influence legislation and official decisions and some, including many billionaires and chief executives, merely want to be able to have a personal relationship with these officials. They like to be able to command special appearances by the elected officials at their functions or be able to chat with them on the telephone.

Martin A. Brower

Corona del Mar