Readers React: America’s hangover from the heady Clinton years

To the editor: Bill Clinton’s high approval ratings prove that Americans have very short memories or are ignorant of the facts. (“How Bill Clinton, improbably, became America’s favorite politician,” Sept. 10)

His administration is largely responsible for the 2008 financial crisis, since Clinton signed the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which voided the 1933 Glass-Steagall law that prevented banks from making risky investments.

Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement, which had disastrous consequences for U.S. workers. His Treasury Department made a rule change that allowed U.S. corporations to more easily park profits overseas. Today, we’re still dealing with the effects of that disastrous decision.

If Hillary Rodham Clinton runs in 2016, I will vote for the GOP candidate. We can’t afford another Clinton in the White House.

Shirley Conley, Gardena

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To the editor: I don’t know what this analysis is based on, but it doesn’t appear to be history.

The article refers to Clinton as “among the most reviled figures to serve in the White House,” and postulates that it was Clinton’s taint on his vice president that led to Al Gore’s (still controversial and disputed) defeat in 2000. In fact, Clinton’s approval rating hovered around 60% throughout his second term, peaking during the Republicans’ ill-advised impeachment proceedings against him.

In fact, Gore’s affiliation with Clinton was likely his greatest asset. Unfortunately, he simply was not able to inspire the same confidence or connect with the public on a personal level.

There is little doubt in my mind that were there no 22nd Amendment and had it been Clinton, not Gore, on the ballot in 2000, the result would not have been close. America and the world would have been spared the George W. Bush presidency.

Joel Elkins, West Hollywood

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