If only we could hear what goes on at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C. Lobbyists are forever trying to influence our legislators. In my opinion, our votes don’t carry any muscle.
It is a playground powered by corporate businessmen. Politicians alike forget why we sent them there and just ride out the roller coaster and fantasize their dreams.
While we’re reaching deeper in our pockets for fuel money, oil tycoons set prices accordingly for huge profits. Then comes transportation costs and handling, forcing trucking companies to raise rates and eventually that trickles down to everyone. Oil companies can’t lose. They call the shots. Going to war with Iraq surely hasn’t hurt the oil companies’ profits.
Let’s not forget Medicare, prescription drugs and insurance. Once again, we were sold out. These corporations can now dictate to the government and legislators how much we will pay, while CEOs profit millions.
A step in the right direction to me would be to make it mandatory for politicians to share the very same health and benefit plan as its citizens. We would have to approve their retirement package based on their merits.
Joe Voisine, Lewiston
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