UNITED STATES SLEEPS WHILE NATIONAL POLITICS ATROPHIES

The Senate Ethics Committee's public hearings regarding Sens. Dennis DeConcini, John McCain, John Glenn, Donald Riegle and Alan Cranston began on Nov. 15, 1990. They concluded last week. For about three months, there has been daily coverage in major metropolitan newspapers, frequent excerpts of witnesses' testimony on the network evening newscasts, innumerable editorials and op-ed pieces, and gavel-to-gavel daily coverage by C-SPAN. While not the biggest story the Persian Gulf, the recession and other issues would claim top billing still the "Keating Five" meeting was a major news event.

Citizens often respond to news stories by sending letters to their senators. Most frequently, constituents write about matters directly affecting themselves (like Social Security). Next, the voters respond to things that make them angry for example Congressional pay raises, the Panama Canal Treaty or flag-burning.

During the past two months while the Senate Ethics Committee hearings were a major news story, how any letters would you estimate that Senator John Danforth received on that issue from the 5,175,804 residents of Missouri? Eight. That's right: eight. Not eight thousand not eight hundred, but eight measly letters.

What does that indicate? First, the American people are not terribly concerned about ethics in government. They apparently believe that the entire political process is infested with malefactors so what's new? Or perhaps they assume that whatever the testimony is about, it will be back to "business as usual" when the proceedings are over. Or maybe they have begun to believe the bombardment of negative political advertising that they endure every two years.

However you phrase it, eight letters means lack of trust in the system and lack of concern about changing it. Eight letters means that Americans are turned off by the political process and too bored to even think about it.

Democracy is the most sophisticated and intricate form of government. Its bedrock is faith and trust. It is not only "In God We Trust"; it is "In Government We Trust" and "In Ourselves We Trust." Not today. We don't trust our politicians. Indeed, we don't trust anyone, including our bankers, our industrialists, or our union leaders.

In politics, the current money-driven system is a disgrace. Politicians know it. Editorial writers know it. Political scientists know it. The people sense it. But there is no grassroots movement for change.

In today's world, you get just about as much reform as the public demands at the grassroots. If you demand change through a strong political lobby, you will get it. If a few people request something simply because it is fair and just, it will be placed in the round file. Leaders listen; they don't lead. Politicians are seldom ahead of the curve; most often well behind it. Money and negative political advertising are the sole determinants of political success. With money and TV spots, you have a chance; without them, you do not. If we are going to change the system, the people have to demand it.

Eight letters to Senator Danforth means there will be no change. America slumbers. Politics atrophies.