Congressional Benefits

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) told The Times he has not received a single constituent complaint about the perks in which he and his colleagues have immersed themselves. Not being a constituent I don’t suppose this letter will count for much.

The very idea that Waxman’s perception of his perks has reached the point that a taxpayer-subsidized $5 haircut is somehow seen as a necessity for being able to do his job indicates how self-centered congressional thinking has become. I suppose the taxpayer-subsidized haircut is essential to being able to make proper use of the taxpayer-subsidized television studio for incumbent members.

Waxman’s attempt to pass off the entire issue by suggesting he doesn’t have much hair to cut anyway is not funny to this taxpayer who hasn’t had a $5 haircut in many years.

The irony is that I consider Waxman to be an outstanding congressman with a distinguished record. If someone of his caliber has such a twisted view of his perks, I shudder to think what some of the lesser lights of Congress think is “perk-fectly” acceptable behavior.

CHARLES M. WEISENBERG

Beverly Hills