Central Machine Works
Special Interests Distort Debate
RECEIVED Sat., Sept. 19, 2009
Dear Editor,
Re: “Drowning in Triviality” [“Page Two,” Sept. 18]: While there is legitimate difference of opinion about the direction of public policy, special interests play a crucial role in distorting reasonable debate. Predator industries (among which are banking, big pharmaceuticals, and insurance) would not get much sympathy from honorable legislators for favorable treatment that allows them to gouge or otherwise abuse their clients. So it seems to me that they invest heavily in enabling passionate extremists who can polarize political campaigns and drive out the candidates who are likely to take a reasonable, pragmatic, and open-minded view. Publicly funded campaigns are the most promising remedy to this frustrating manipulation.
Re: “Drowning in Triviality” [“Page Two,” Sept. 18]: While there is legitimate difference of opinion about the direction of public policy, special interests play a crucial role in distorting reasonable debate. Predator industries (among which are banking, big pharmaceuticals, and insurance) would not get much sympathy from honorable legislators for favorable treatment that allows them to gouge or otherwise abuse their clients. So it seems to me that they invest heavily in enabling passionate extremists who can polarize political campaigns and drive out the candidates who are likely to take a reasonable, pragmatic, and open-minded view. Publicly funded campaigns are the most promising remedy to this frustrating manipulation.
Paul Silver
Board of Common Cause of Texas
Board of Common Cause of Texas