Taken together, the news story "Senate fries kids' safety bill" and letter to the editor "'Fair elections' system is needed," both June 25, illustrate what's wrong with our political system today.
The cost of running for office is so exorbitant that only the wealthy and those who can garner vast amounts of cash from them have a chance of election. Then, once you have obtained your office by the grace of "Mr. Chemical Man," "Mrs. Oil Lady," or "Bet-Your-Farm Hedge Fund," you will do their bidding. They are not just buying elections; they also are buying public policy.
The news story shows even a common-sense bill to protect our kids from the cancer-causing chemical TRIS, with nary a no vote in either chamber, can be deep-sixed by the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, likely at the behest of the lobby firm Patricia Lynch and Associates, rented for years by the chemical industry.
Why does America have no sensible green energy policy?
In Scandinavia, towns and individuals have their own green power plants. Wind farms can be spotted all over Europe. Solar power generation hardware, a source of excellent jobs and no-risk renewable energy, is now manufactured in China instead of here in America where the technology was developed.
We despoil our pastoral landscapes and our drinking water to extract more oil, which only exacerbates global climate change. Thank the oil and gas lobby for this insanity.
We are the only industrialized nation without universal health care. Most personal bankruptcies are the result of medical costs. Ours has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the western world. For this immoral insanity, thank the health insurance lobby.
We need to know whose money and power are buying our nation's policies and hold accountable elected officials who pervert democracy for campaign cash. Before you vote in November, know whether your choice will work for publicly owned elections and the end of corporate control of government, or just more of the same and vote accordingly.
SUSAN F. WEBER
Loudonville