Letter: Special interests are thoroughly in control

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007 | 7:27 a.m.

Many feel that our country has sunk into turmoil in nearly every category imaginable, mostly since the turn of the century. Americans are bombarded in the media with the GOP telling us in so many words that the Democrats are a bunch of lying idiots, while the Democrats are saying the same about Republicans. Both say the other is responsible for the sorry situation that our country is in.

I agree with both of them. With their "guidance," we have been duped into believing one or the other, and both are truly sorry representatives of what is in the best interest of Americans. Today the Great Society that we once were is owned and operated by special interest groups such as the oil, pharmaceutical, insurance, real estate and tobacco industries. Whoever contributes substantially enough to a candidate owns his vote when laws are passed.

They all seem to hide behind "wars" on terror and drugs or helping our mounting education, health, Social Security or environmental problems while they discreetly ensure that the needs of their largest contributors are met. Failing to take action can be as disastrous as taking the wrong action.

There may be some truth in their rhetoric, and these wars may be vital and urgent . But if we judge the person whom we vote for in 2008 by what the politicians tell us in the media, aren't we voting for a bunch of lying idiots who will determine our country's fate by whoever gives the most money to their campaign?

I submit that these "wars" must be addressed and won, but the quote "We have found the enemy, and the enemy is us" will be true if we don't find and elect a leader in 2008, regardless of party, who will not owe someone other than the people who voted for him or her.

Frank Musaraca, Henderson