by David Mayfield, Ferguson, Ky.
Dear Editor:
I am writing this article in response to Robert Moore’s article in the Sept. 12 issue.
Robert, I believe that you are indeed a patriotic American. You want what you think is best for America. I also want what I think is best for America.
We will not agree on every issue that faces America. However, I do agree with you that there needs to be reform concerning lobbyists.
As long as lobbyists have free access to Congress, the will of the people is not realized.
It is obvious that some in Congress will do whatever big money wants them to do. In saying this, I am not speaking of Congress as a whole; however, I believe that a large majority will cater to the lobbyists. I believe the access that special interest groups have in Congress needs to be stop completely. I also agree with you that the court went too far in equating money and free speech. Each individual has the right to express themselves with their vote and with the right to address the government with grievances. No corporation should have the same free speech rights as do the individual, especially when that speech will manifest itself monetarily. When a corporation uses its capitol to influence Congress, the will of the people is stifled.
Although I agree with you concerning lobbyists, I do not agree with your solutions to the problem. You spoke of nationalizing elections; this in my opinion would only lead to more election fraud. To have nationalized elections would be putting the fox in charge of the hen house.
There is so much corruption in our federal government; there is no way we could get a clean election, with nationalized elections.
I do think that if we could standardize the election process from state to state it would help. For example, every state should use the same type of voting machines or paper ballot, no state should report their election results until Alaska’s results are in.
I am sure that there are many other ways that elections can be standardized. However, to take it away from the states would be a mistake. All elections on the state level need to stay in the states.
Robert, surely you do not believe that funding campaigns with government funds alone is a good thing. With your proposal and the current level of government corruption, the politicians would have an open checkbook to do whatever they want with campaign money.
Yes, Robert, we do have “welfare for politicians,” why would you want to make it worse. I believe that private donations are the best, as long as it is restricted to the individual and has a cap. I disagree with you about television advertising; if the candidate can afford it let them purchase air time.
I do agree about allowing all candidates that are on the ballot to enter national debates. For example, if a candidate is on the ballot in at least 10 states then that candidate should be in the debates.
Robert, what I do not understand is that you seem to be willing to give more and more freedoms to the government. As I stated before I believe that you are a patriotic American, why are you so willing to give away our freedoms. It seems that you are willing to allow America to become a socialized country.
We spoke recently in a business establishment in Somerset, you told me then that you agreed with a quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
From where I stand, it would appear that you are willing to give up essential liberty for a little safety.
Robert, that’s my take.
David Mayfield
Ferguson, Ky.
