Letter: Making mockery of our system of democracy

Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 | 3:41 a.m.

American democracy has evolved rather than remaining static.

Today we look back with wonder at how our founding fathers could have allowed only white males who owned property to vote in their democracy. Seventy years from now Americans will look back at us and wonder how we could have allowed wealthy people and corporations to have such a controlling voice in our elections and our government.

Our democracy will seem as unjust, undemocratic and appalling to them as slavery and the lack of the female vote seem to us today.

People then will understand how flawed democracy is when corporations and wealth have so much control over not only elections, but also access to those elected, the framing of legislation in their favor, and the appointment of officials who will make rulings in their behalf.

We, who in the '90s suffered from the removal of savings and loan regulations, and currently experienced the Enron scandal, should dedicate ourselves to overthrowing the corrupt system of influence which makes a mockery of our government.

In so doing, we will advance democracy.

EDWARD HAYES

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