In regards to on legislation that seeks to "clamp down" on elected officials found guilty of serious charges ("Bills aim at guilty officials," Feb. 13), I would like to see our lawmakers take it a step further: If you violate ethics rules, you lose everything, including your pension, no matter when you broke the law.

Admittedly, it's a bit Draconian. On the other hand, if you're an elected official and you play it straight, you've nothing to worry about. It's a no-brainer. I should think all elected and other government officials would leap at this opportunity to be the first to endorse such legislation.

Kenneth J. Desmarais, Baltimore