MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Opinion

Discussion

February 6, 2013

THE PEOPLE SPEAK – Owning politicians is a right of the people

— The journalist-humorist Andy Borowitz warned us in the Jan. 30th New Yorker Magazine that the gun control discussion is distracting us from the real issue, the ownership of politicians. Wayne LaPierre, the National Rifle Association CEO, strongly opposes any legislation which limits the sale or purchase of politicians. He believes that citizens ought to own as many politicians as they wish to own, with no restrictions whatsoever.

However, politician-control advocates call for tighter restrictions on the sale of politicians. These advocates complain that there is no background check or waiting period. Advocates view with alarm the sheer number of uncontrolled politicians in the U.S.

How can a citizen know that their politicians are “owned” by a special interest group? Notice that they will talk about how “difficult” it is to get any regulations passed, and how “law-abiding citizens” refuse to go along with any controls, despite opinion polls indicating otherwise. Or, they might cite one of the Constitutional Amendments as forbidding the purchase, or sale, or ownership of politicians.

Karl Rove becomes apoplectic when he considers any laws which limit people like Sheldon Adelson or the Koch Brothers from owning all the politicians they can afford. After all, isn’t this America? Friends, freedom is being trampled on by these proposed measures! We citizens must be alert to any attempted takeover which would undermine such superb Supreme Court decisions as “Citizens United,” which keep intact the crucial principles that “money is speech” and “corporations are people.”

BILL MOORER

Muskogee

Text Only
Opinion
AP Video
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional' Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest 'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Poll

Are the IRS, Benghazi and AP phone warrant scandals vital issues, or a distraction from more important business the nation should deal with?

Vital
Distraction
     View Results
Featured Ads
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Stocks