Letter: The people must insist on reform

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001 | 8:59 a.m.

It is hard to argue the point that Dan Olivier makes in his Feb. 11 letter to the editor, but I'm afraid that he, like most other people, can't see the forest for the trees.

As long as we insist on playing these petty partisan politics, this type of thing will go on and on. It has nothing to do with political persuasion but has everything to do with the "me first" greed that we wallow in.

The politicians tout campaign reform as a buzz word every election, but, mysteriously, nothing much happens except hot air and hype. I wonder if the reason could be because the people who would make these reforms are the same people who stand to lose their power and wealth, if indeed, meaningful reforms are made?

What we have now is all the foxes guarding the henhouse. It should be abundantly clear that this pack of thieves will never endanger their power base by introducing and passing meaningful reforms in the sleazy way we now do business. How much have we heard about campaign/election reforms from Sen. John McCain now that the election is over and we're back to business as usual? He has already indicated that he will move this issue to the back burner so that President Bush can get the education and tax reform items passed. Hot air and hype!

In closing, I remind you that we, the people, will get the kind of government we deserve. It is crystal clear that our government will not reform itself. That impetus must come from we, the people, or it will not happen at all.

DAVID L. ARMSTRONG

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