Letter: Monied forces work against hope for reforms

Thursday, April 5, 2001 | 9:37 a.m.

There's the essence of common sense and honesty that's needed to govern our people fairly and properly. Sadly, forces continue to pull our leaders away from that truth ... forces called special interests and big money.

Follow the news and see it happen over and over. An industry needs regulation? It won't happen, because that industry paid to elect the official with the power to regulate. Legislation is passed and taxpayer-funded that has nothing to do with fairness or common sense. And is it any mystery that politicians fight campaign finance reform? They fear a limit to their power and influence; pure self interest.

Detractors say finance reform limits free speech. Give me a break! I say the status quo limits mine, yours and the majority's free speech by ensuring the whims of a few well-funded and influential lobbyist are catered to by our leaders. Who do you think they'll listen to? Think about it. This issue goes deeper than Sen. John McCain's good intentions.

It strikes at the heart of what's wrong with our government at all levels: local, state and federal. Our government, which was supposed to be, "By the people and for the people ..." is now, "By the politically elite and for the well-funded few ..."

Is it any wonder there is voter apathy? How much of a choice do we really have in elections these days? If only our leaders truly supported honesty and integrity in government, they wouldn't have to worry about funding re-election and smear campaigns. We would rally behind them!

JERRY FRIDDELL