THE ISSUE: Chris Dodd’s announcement that he plans to retire from the US Senate.

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There is no honor or sorrow in Sen. Chris Dodd’s leaving (“Dodd Dumps Himself,” Editorial, Jan. 7).

Dodd is passing the keys to the candy store to the next generation before the current electorate rips them from his hands.

The polls showed his jig was up. Greed and hubris were exposed, and his self-serving days at the public trough were over.

Unfortunately, Dodd will ride off into the sunset, saddlebags overflowing with ill-gotten gains at the taxpayers’expense.

Ray Arroyo

Westwood, NJ

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I’m always happy when corrupt politicians decide to hang it up. Dodd knew his constituents were fed up with him and his party by the poll numbers.

As for the rest of the despicable Democratic majority, pack up all that you’ve plundered from the American public and hit the road.

If you don’t do it voluntarily, we will escort you out of the building come November.

Louie Rey

East Meadow

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There is absolutely no way that Sens. Byron Dorgan and Dodd looked at their potential re-election polls and decided to simply throw in the towel.

Politicians of all stripes firmly believe in the frailty of voters’ memories and that they will forget most transgressions by the next time the voting booths open.

These two were pushed out by their own party because the party knew they would lose in the general election against pretty much any Republican.

Sen. Harry Reid, who is just a little more important to the Democratic Party, is definitely the next domino to “retire.”

Tom Van Doran

Patterson