Third Party

Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.) was right on target in his call for a third party in support of working people and the poor (Column Left, Sept. 22). However, he was vague as to what he means by campaign reform.

Isn’t it obvious that we will never have an independent and responsive legislative function until we have 100% public financing of political campaigns? It seems to me that this is the only way can we get our representatives and senators out of the pockets of the special interests they are forced to rely on for campaign funding.

I would further suggest applying severe penalties to any candidate who uses as much as $1 of private money, including the candidate’s own, for campaign purposes. Otherwise, we will continue to see wealthy candidates like Mike Huffington, Ross Perot and Malcolm S. Forbes Jr. who are willing to use their own wealth in an attempt to buy their way into office. While these candidates are able in their own right, the next one may not be so desirable.

Public campaign financing would be a very small price to pay for legislators who are not beholden to anyone except the voters. I expect that many of our officeholders who are uncomfortable with the deals they have to make in order to get elected would breathe a sigh of relief.

CHARLES E. HENDRIX

Pacific Palisades

* The “genuine” third party platform showcased by Sanders needs at least one more plank to go with his six: the implementation of a shorter workday/week at no loss in pay.

Worldwide unemployment and underemployment are approaching catastrophic levels, which has created a buyers’ market for the employers of labor. American workers cannot improve the conditions of their labor until the 40-hour workweek is jettisoned in this country and throughout the world.

A genuine third party should advocate as a minimum, short-term goal the implementation of the 35-hour workweek at $7.50 per hour by the year 2000.

ANTHONY GARAVENTE

Los Angeles