LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Politics runs on big money
4/14/2014I don’t disagree with you that the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing almost unlimited political contributions by individuals is a blow to a fair political process (“Money, politics, and speech,” editorial, April 4).
But I didn’t agree with corporations and unions being allowed big money contributions either. That ability is even more destructive than the recent ruling.
The federal government, including its executive and legislative branches and both political parties, is all about money. If our country were run for the benefit of citizens instead of lobbyists’ clients, big corporations, special interests, legislators’ pork projects, and re-election campaigns, what a wonderful world it could be.
But that is not even close to being the case. I’m not a cynic; I’m a realist.
THOMAS SCHLACHTER
Sylvania Township
Court confirms rich are different
The five conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court have decided that free speech and money are the same thing (“Supreme Court nixes campaign donor limits; Dissenter: Ruling to open fund floodgates,” April 3). This ruling, coupled with their previous ruling that corporations are people, is good news for folks such as the Koch brothers. They may now legally buy as many elections as their deep pockets can afford, and that is a lot of elections.
Thanks to this Supreme Court, the old saying that “the rich are different from you and me” has never meant more than it does right now.
HAL SIMON
Maumee
Despite court, each vote is same
Election Day is the one day of the year when all of us are truly equal, when the vote of each person, rich or poor, young or old, black or white, religious or nonbeliever, counts the same.
I hope we remain aware of this and will not allow elections to be bought by the oligarchs of our country who wish to bend democracy to their selfish vision.
Not even five members of the U.S. Supreme Court can make a rich man’s vote count more than a poor man’s, unless the poor man allows it.
JOE GAGEL
Monclova Township
High court ruling weakens nation
The result of the recent Supreme Court decision on political donation limits simply means that a certain few people will have even greater impact than others in future elections. It weakens our democracy.
JOHN GALBRAITH
Maumee