Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Letter to the editor:

Money has destroyed American way of life

Being an American means I have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of my race. I have the right to worship God as I please, regardless of my religious beliefs. I have the right to free speech, regardless of my political or social views, and I have the right to bear arms in order to protect myself but not to threaten others. Along with these rights, I also have the responsibility of honoring the rights of others who do not agree with my views. I have the right to vote despite my political and religious affiliation, and I have the right to expect my elected representatives to represent me and the millions of Americans who share my rights and responsibilities regardless of their political and religious affiliations.

Unfortunately, it seems money has gotten in the way of our elected representatives acting in the way Americans expect them to govern. Corporate interests have gradually eroded the American way of life I knew in my youth, diminishing the standard of living that made America the world leader with the strongest middle class, the best educated country with the best infrastructure, and the most tolerant of the rights given us by our forefathers.

American democracy is the greatest form of government in the world; however, corruption pervades all forms of government, including ours. Nothing encourages political corruption more than the almighty dollar, and unfortunately in today’s world, thanks in good part to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, money rules.

Social issues also pervade these days, intending to diminish the rights that brought the pilgrims here nearly 400 years ago. I pray to God that somehow we return to an America united with liberty and justice for all and not just for the chosen few, be they corporate, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, agnostic, heterosexual, gay or transgender. That’s what being American means to me.

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