The Issue: Federal corruption charges brought against New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez last week.
Like President Biden, Sen. Bob Menendez has always been sleazy (“Menendez’ License To Loot,” Editorial, Sept. 23).
He was spared conviction in 2017 because of a mistrial and a judge who subsequently dismissed the case against him, despite overwhelming evidence.
Because he believes himself above the law, his greed overcame his common sense and again he is facing bribery charges.
Now, to add insult to injury, he is blaming the fact that he is a Latino as the reason many are calling on him to resign from the Senate. However, he disgraced himself, and that is why he is facing another indictment and had to step down as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He should also resign from the Senate or be impeached. As a New Jersey resident, I believe New Jersey deserves better.
Mary Ann Pizzi
East Hanover, NJ
There’s an old saying that goes, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me,” and the people of New Jersey have been sorely shamed by corrupt Sen. Bob Menendez.
There are a few reasons a politician can carry on a life of corruption, unnoticed and unfettered.
First, when a majority of apathetic voters with heads in the sand repeatedly vote for an incumbent, they hand to him or her the ability to become untouchable. We can name any number of long-term politicians who became suspiciously wealthy while in office.
The second reason is term limits. The longer a senator is in office, the more power he acquires, and that power eventually invites corruption.
Politicians aren’t saints. In fact, they’re far from it and, like all human beings, have their vulnerabilities. Term limits is the best way to keep politicians as honest as possible and keep them working for their constituents, not themselves. It’s time.
J. M. Norris
Southold
You would think that Menendez would have taken a page out of the Bidens’ alleged playbook and had the payoffs laundered through LLCs, instead of allegedly taking it in gold bars and cash.
However, Democrats shouldn’t worry too much, as he has retained Hunter Biden’s lawyer, along with his connections to the Justice Department.
And, anyway, when it comes to crimes committed by Democrats in New Jersey, as in baseball, it takes three strikes to get you out.
Armand Rose
Arlington, NJ
Menendez should not be allowed to continue to serve as a senator after being indicted for bribery, corruption and his inappropriate illegal dealings with the government of Egypt. The senator has refused to resign, claiming he is innocent until proven guilty.
I believe that federal and state laws should change. If a member of Congress is indicted he or she should be required to temporarily step aside, pending the outcome of a trial. The governor should be empowered to appoint an interim replacement, who would serve until the trial is concluded.
If the person is found innocent, he would return to his Senate duties. If the senator is found guilty of the charges, the nation would be spared of having an official doing more damage to our country.
Paul Feiner
Greenburgh
Too often we read about the total corruption of our elected officials, but Menendez stands out for the sheer arrogance he displayed.
He narrowly escaped prison in 2017. You would think that would serve as a wake-up call.
But Menendez never aspired to be honest or a friend of the working man. Instead he saw himself as untouchable, like a Roman emperor. His aspirations were more in line with Caligula or Nero than Presidents Abraham Lincoln or George Washington.
Congress is no longer an institution of trust, but a mafia-like system of corruption and extortion.
John Fleming
Punta Gorda, Fla.
The good news for Menendez is that thanks to the relaxation of the Senate dress code by the majority leader, he will be able to attend sessions attired in a new orange jumpsuit.
Fred Raue
West Milford, NJ
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