Politics driven by money

The American people are being buried, dug up and buried again by big political parties, super political action committees, big lobbyists and big government. We are being strangled by thousands of new government regulations, and by federal, state and city governments that are choking the small-business man. Plus, out-of-control monetary contributions looking for favors by both parties, big labor, big business and big education.

If you think these billions in contributions are done to find the best candidate for president or legislator to lead our nation, you are sadly mistaken. The contributors expect something favorable for their benefit in return. And, believe me, we voters aren’t in their profitable horizon.

By the time we elect a new president, we will have been spoon-fed what the candidates call rhetoric for almost two years.

The sad part is that after the election there is no respite. They will begin almost at once to start the whole sickening process all over again, and for whose benefit? Certainly not the voters, only the parties. It’s enough to make you cry.

James A. Nelson

Spokane

Confused values at schools

Military good; community-based self-help projects bad. That was the message our family received recently from Spokane Public Schools.

On May 8, our son spent an entire English class listening to a U.S. Navy recruiter espouse the benefits of a military career; not a single reference to Greek literature, or modern playwrights, or anything to do with the subject at hand.

The next day, I was told by the Spokane school district superintendent’s office that it was unacceptable to send home to student families at Audubon, Holmes and Glover schools fliers announcing a neighborhoodwide event to promote personal and neighborhood self-resiliency, like growing your own food, learning to scratch cook, building a compost bin, weatherizing your home or capturing rainwater (the West Central Convergence).

As a parent and taxpayer, I am confused at our district’s sense of values and mission when lower-income kids are tracked into military service and not afforded the opportunity to learn practical and engaging life skills in an experiential setting.

No wonder 40 percent of our youth are dropping out.

Pat Malone

Spokane

Campaign for unity

Springtime is here in all its refreshing, positive glory. Some will attempt to tarnish this sense of renewal and freshness with negative, meaningless campaign slogans; such a silly waste of precious intellectual and economic resources!

The words we choose to express differing views matter greatly. Searching for that middle ground of compromise provides a respectful space where true wisdom resides.

Special-interest agendas serve only to divide, frustrate and stagnate true governance, but true statesmen strive for unity through compromise. Choosing language based on honest dialogue and debate using facts, logic and specific plans for every issue can lead to enlightenment and solutions. Anything less should not be tolerated by we the people.

My optimistic campaign for unity is based upon that positive good demonstrated during local, regional or national emergencies. We are very capable of being the best we can be all the time by choosing the language of cooperation, compromise and mutual respect. Let’s campaign for unity!

Marty Zyskowski

Spokane