Correspondence

0 Comments | Insight on the News, May 22, 2000

Congress Refuses to Cut the Regulatory Red Tape

The really sad thing about the people caught up in Washington's red tape is that Congress could do something about it but doesn't [waste & abuse, May 8]. Responding to well-documented cases of regulatory abuse, Congress in 1996 passed, and President Clinton signed, the Congressional Review Act. Under the legislation, no new federal rule can take effect until Congress has had 60 days to consider it. If Congress passes a resolution of disapproval, the rule is voided.

At the time of its enactment, the Congressional Review Act was hailed as a valuable tool in keeping federal agencies accountable to the public. Yet four years after its enactment, not one single new federal rule has been challenged on a roll-call vote in either the House or the Senate. Meanwhile, federal agencies have imposed another 15,000 rules and regulations.

The responsibility for allowing ordinary citizens to be bullied by bureaucrats lies with a Congress that is too timid to use a law it congratulated itself for passing only a few short years ago.

Bonner R. Cohen
Senior Fellow
Lexington Institute
Arlington, Va.

Elian Should Be Raised by His Relatives in Miami

I just visited Insight's excellent Website for the first time and subscribed to your e-mail update. The story by J. Michael Waller about the Cuban diplomats (or thugs!) ["Insight Web Exclusive," April 21] was eye-opening because the slanted mainstream media don't report these facts. I believe that Elian Gonzalez should remain with his relatives in Miami because if he returned to Cuba, he'd be railroaded to "Papa" Fidel Castro.

I am appalled at the way President Clinton and his cohorts are slandering the Cuban-Americans in Miami. I lived in Florida for a year and was so impressed with the faith, decency, family values and hard-work ethic they so humbly display. It nauseates me to see Clinton portray the Miami relatives as "unfit" parents. Clinton seems to forget that his philandering ways and lies under oath in a court of law hardly set an upright parental example for his daughter, Chelsea.

Brynell Somerville Chillicothe, Mo.

America Is Reaping Its Reward for Electing Clinton

I read Managing Editor Paul M. Rodriguez's letter about the events surrounding Elian Gonzalez and agree wholeheartedly [A Letter From the Editor, May 15]. It is bizarre to see this type of thing happening in America. I am praying and hoping that this finally will awaken our nation to recognize just how corrupt and immoral Bill Clinton really is. How many more times are we going to be shocked by things this president does?

You know, this would not have happened had the U.S. Senate done its job more than a year ago during Clintons impeachment trial. Shame on them! And shame on the American people when they said character doesn't matter.

I just found your Website and have really enjoyed reading your findings. I hope many more will read it and take action as well.

Robert Seigworth via the Internet

I believe the Elian Gonzalez saga shouldn't have gone on for more than a couple of days. The Miami family had no right to speak for Elian, and he should have been sent back right away. That said, I don't like jackbooted thugs breaking anybody's door down. When you let the government walk all over one group, you're letting them walk all over you next. Now maybe the public will make such an outcry that the government will have to stop acting like thugs, period.

Bob Jones Anchorage, Alaska