Welcome to the United States of Exxon. With the recent decision by our Supreme Court, Exxon now has the same rights to free speech as you and I. Not since “Dred Scott” has our way of life been so threatened by a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Exxon now has the right to spend their corporate billions on any candidate or political issue they choose. My question is, who is speaking when Exxon exercises its constitutional right to free speech? The current board of directors for Exxon includes representatives from General Motors, American Express, IBM, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Goldman Sachs banking, Burlington Northern railroad, just to name a few. And, that is just a few.

We have been struggling for years in this country with the need for campaign finance reform. I’m sure that I speak for many others when I say we have the best government money can buy. What our Supreme Court has done is to remove any semblance of honesty from government. It’s now up to us as individuals to declare our allegiance to our favorite corporation. Wal-Mart anyone?

Steven Brown

Kellogg