Letters: When money and politics mix

Re “Silent money speaks volumes,” May 28

On July 4, 1776, 56 men enumerated their objections to their government and declared the United States to be independent of the king of England. They knew their act to be treasonous, with a high likelihood of imprisonment and hanging. Yet they not only “mutually [pledged] to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor,” but boldly signed their names to the Declaration of Independence.

Compared to these brave men, the secretive acts of the wealthy, who would deny us access to healthcare, redress in the courts, clean air and water and any sense of financial and social security, amount to cowardice.

I respect their right to speak, to contribute to politics and to be influential. I just don’t respect them.

Dave Middleton

Rancho Mirage

The only reason “super PACs” have so much influence is because we Americans vote with our emotions rather than our brains.

Rather than research issues and consider which candidates’ policies will actually improve our lives, we rely on political ads to tell us what to think. We vote against our own financial interests in the name of dogma.

And as the middle class shrinks, we convince ourselves that we sleep better at night knowing that millionaires and billionaires are spending massive sums to keep it that way.

Kurt Page

Laguna Niguel

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