Americans are in for reality check

To the editor:

America has always tried to reflect the very best ideas that Western civilization has to offer, including democracy, fair taxes and individual freedoms and opportunity. However, it seems that “government by the people” has become a thing of the past. Between the corporations that control the mass media and the lobbyists who finance federal elections, our legislators cannot do an honest job of representing their constituents without fear of being squeezed out of office.

Wall Street and corporate America are able to manipulate the government process to their own advantage because “we the people” are brainwashed by the media, threatened by the insurance industry, duped by drug companies and disregarded by heavy industry. With little regard for common people, government policies favoring big business has resulted in downsizing, outsourcing and marginalizing America’s middle class, which is being replaced with a mob that vents its anger at “tea parties” and town hall meetings. The very people who were hurt most by the policies of Wall Street and corporate America have somehow been convinced that maintaining the status quo is to their advantage. The hope of America does not lie in less government, but rather in less government interference. If old-fashioned principles are adopted into a Wall Street regulatory agency — similar to OSHA — that would act as a watchdog for the health and well-being of America’s Main Street and perhaps a measure of sanity would return to our economy.

However, “we the people” were lulled to sleep by unrealistic hopes and impossible dreams, and it will require an honest and painful reality check for most of us to accept a measure of responsibility. We are not blameless, but neither are we the perpetrators who brought about the present situation. Even so, it is possible that a new and better American dream — with values of fairness and fellowship — can be restored to the daily life and affairs of “we the people,” as well as to the consciousness of Wall Street and the by-laws of industry.

Art Carney

Wasilla