Published: October 03, 2008 05:29 pm            

Readers' Forum: Oct. 4, 2008

Disgusted with our political charlatans

After the recent market disaster last week, I took the time to write to our congressman, Brad Ellsworth. I informed Congressman Ellsworth that I was extremely enraged at the fact that Republicans didn’t do anything for six years and Democrats have done nothing in two years to prevent this from happening. I also informed the congressman that I disagreed with saddling the American taxpayer with a trillion dollars in debt and I thought more of these corrupt companies should be allowed to fail.

Imagine how disappointed I was when I received Ellsworth’s reply and it began with, “Thank you for contacting me to share your support for cutting waste and increasing oversight of defense spending.”

Defense spending!? I’m writing to the only person that is supposed to represent me in Washington, D.C., about the worst financial crisis in modern history and he, or his staff, sends me a mindless form letter that extols his virtue and efforts in uncovering fraud and waste by KBR, a defense contractor.

Just when I think our federally elected officials don’t give a damn about us, Congressman Ellsworth confirms my suspicion with a hopelessly patronizing letter that, quite frankly, insults my intelligence. To suggest that I am upset would be to grossly understate my emotions.

According to senate.gov, our congressman was paid $169,300, not including any travel that was privately funded. That’s $169,300 to do nothing to warn us of the impending loan crisis. To accomplish nothing in the two years that he’s been in office. For $169,300 I would expect just a little more from my elected leader. But instead, I get a letter that has absolutely nothing to do with my concern. Similar to the Caesars throwing bread to crowd to keep them from rioting.

Our federal government and our elected officials are a sham. They do nothing to benefit us, follow the Constitution, or grant us more freedom. Their set of priorities begins with their own skin, then party, and we peasants get whatever is left over. We may as well appoint a king with a House of Lords with landowners.

I realize that this letter is scathing and maybe, some will say, too emotional. But I have become fed up with the charlatans, Republicans and Democrats, we elect that draw down a salary of $169,300 by promising to take my money and give it to others. They name buildings after themselves funded with money that you and I pay from our incomes. It is an utter disgrace and we should take note that it isn’t going to get any better until we start caring.

— Eric Brown

Terre Haute



Obama most likely to bring change

Whoever we vote into office in November will need to make some tough decisions to deal with our ongoing economic crisis. I believe that Obama’s record and message for the future indicate that he has the will to change the judgment which will be necessary to steer our country back on a sane economic track, however difficult it may be. McCain, on the other hand, has supported deregulation, which has permitted fraudulent, risky lending practices to go unchecked and allowed financial giants and big oil interests to make their killing without showing any concern for the future.

Since concern for the country’s financial future is the government’s responsibility, it becomes our responsibility when we go to the polls. In the U.S. Senate, Obama introduced the Stop Fraud Act to increase penalties for mortgage fraud and provide more protections for low-income homebuyers, well before the current subprime crisis began. It’s hard to take McCain’s current promise of regulatory reform seriously when he has no history prior to the presidential campaign of advocating steps to tighten standards for mortgage or investment practices.

We need real change. Will that come from McCain with his eight houses, who no doubt identifies with the individuals who are still profiting from unregulated greed? I don’t think so.

— Lisa Summers

Rockville



Correction

I incorrectly stated (in my letter published on Thursday, Page A10) that the public records in question were the Treasurer, Sheriff and Coroner. The Coroner was incorrect. It should have been Harrison Township Trustee.

— Tom Isbell

Terre Haute

        

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