Letters to the Editor for Monday, February 1, 2010

America’s two-party system’s broken
What has happened to the two party system?

Our two-party political system was basically created more than 200 years ago by Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.

Hamilton favored a liberal interpretation of the new Constitution that gave wide powers to the federal government. Jefferson, fearing tyranny, favored a more literal interpretation of the Constitution and thought that governmental powers shouldn’t be so far-reaching. Thus two parties emerged.

This system has forced people to work together over the years and find common ground on issues that affect the American people.

Politicians today base their votes on their own personal agenda, lobbyists’ influence and party pressure; some, amazingly enough, even vote on what’s best for their constituents, though there are going to be some disagreements on what is best. Even so, you have been able to see some compromise over the years.

What we are seeing now, better yet not seeing, is one party locked behind closed doors wheeling, dealing and buying votes to get legislation passed.

They are throwing around hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to get everyone in one party to vote for a bill. They are even making deals with special interest groups. A deal for everyone but the American people.

The message being sent by this covert operation is that if you are in an area represented by a Republican, the government does not care what you think. I always thought that Congress worked for the people, not for the president.

I guess it is arrogance on President Barack Obama’s part thinking we only need one party. If you don’t agree with him, he’ll take his toys and go home.

They are locked behind closed doors with a community organizer and are following the same logic: Let’s fix health care, they say, whether we can afford it or not.

They are in a rush because one party wants it done before midterm elections in case they lose a seat or two. Common sense would say if you are doing the right thing you wouldn’t have to worry about losing seats.

Everyone should have sense enough to know that a trillion dollar program has to be paid for. Taxes will have to go up, both federal and state, to meet the financial obligations of health care.

Do you really think that only the “rich” people will pay for this bill? Also, if you pay less at the doctor’s, odds are you will probably get less.

Wake up, America!

Demand the doors get opened and remind Congress who works for whom.

Let’s fix one problem at a time instead of creating bigger ones.

Our senators and representatives should call for transparency instead of secrecy.

Mark Warner, Jim Webb and Tom Perriello — are you listening?
MIKE NUCKLES
Lynchburg