We must break grip of special interests

Michael K. Casler, Las Vegas

Friday, May 29, 2009 | 2:03 a.m.

The financial mess we all find ourselves in started with government action prompted by and supported by powerful interests. When home mortgage lending standards were relaxed, many groups benefited, including homebuilders, mortgage brokers, banks, escrow companies and real estate agents.

These groups and others pushed for and applauded the relaxed lending standards. Congress drafted and passed the legislation and President George W. Bush signed it.

Why can’t Americans connect the dots? Dot 1: A powerful and far-reaching federal government whose actions can affect the lives and fortunes of millions. Dot 2: Business interests with lobbying power that want to influence legislation in ways that benefit them. Dot 3: Legislators who want to make a “career” out of public office and need financial support to get elected and reelected. Dot 4: Two main political parties that facilitate and encourage this system.

If we Americans don’t address and change the system now, this will not be the last train wreck our economy will see in our lifetime. We will never change the fact that people and groups will want to influence legislation, but we can begin to downsize the federal government so it more closely resembles what our Founders intended and, even more important, we must stop reelecting people to office over and over again.

When we elect and reelect people whose No. 1 priority is to remain in office, we make them easy targets for lobbyists. We must stop doing that if we are to avoid more train wrecks.