Trent Lott

Majority Leader Trent Lott’s (R-Miss.) support of the chemical weapons treaty definitely helped secure the majority needed for approval (April 25). In return, he wants the president to accept the reduction of the cost of living adjustment that increases Social Security benefits (April 26).

I could go along with that if that would reduce the deficit and help balance the budget by 2002. But members of Congress will have to freeze their salaries, give up the idea of tax cuts that would only benefit the wealthy, who don’t need it, especially capital gains tax cuts, and make sensible welfare reductions that would not make paupers out of people. But that will never happen with this Republican-held Congress. So, Sen. Lott, keep away from Social Security.

M.H. SCHNEIDER

Granada Hills

In Ecclesiastes it is written, “For everything there is a season.” The world can rejoice that Lott and President Clinton have realized that the threat of chemical warfare has created a season for bipartisanship. It gives hope that one day the peoples of the world will realize that war in any form is not the way to resolve conflict. Congratulations to these two men for their vision and leadership.

WING MAR

Redondo Beach

BOB BRIGHAM

Manhattan Beach