Political pros leave us dysfunctional democracy

Our system of government is under attack by the people we elected to run it. Be they of either established party, the danger is present and real. Unable or unwilling to work together, the established parties seem to be leading us toward a one-party system. One party rules for a term, then the other. No cooperation is considered in the interest of the American public. We’re in a mess.

We as the voting members of our society must recover control. We must remove the long-term members of the House and Senate. Presidents come and go, but these other elected representatives seem to be there for way too long. Term limits need to be addressed.

These representatives also need to be held accountable to the people who elected them. Being available to their public instead of special interest groups is the answer. Do they really need to be in the capital 24-7-365?

We don’t need a change in government; we need a change in the mindset of those we elected to run it. They were sent to represent us, were they not? We are a country of laws run by lawyers. Not many statesmen or true patriots are left. Political life has become so vile and distasteful, why would anyone with any self respect seek an office? Only the very brave or desperate seem to come forward. What a shame.

Here is hoping recent events will change the future I foresee. We as individuals have little power; as a group we are unstoppable.

R. WILL HAYS Fort Wayne

Gay tolerance in line with King’s message

Regarding Alexander F. Maher’s July 20 letter “Rainbow-colored bridge sends disgraceful message,” I just have to throw in my two cents.

It matters not to me how ashamed Maher is at the city’s supposed attempt to fly their “under the (gay)dar” colors with pride; what bothers me is your gross and inaccurate interpretation of how Martin Luther King would have felt about it.

King, you see, was all about tolerance and equal treatment for all, even folk as ignorant as Maher. He believed all people should be treated the same regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual preference.

If Maher is going to make narrow-minded and short-sighted opinions public by writing letters to the editor, he should be sure the words he is putting in peoples’ mouths are words they’d actually say, particularly such well-known figures as King.

JULIE PEEBLES Fort Wayne

Consumerism enabled China’s trade dominance

I don’t understand the big uproar over the Olympic uniforms being made in China.

The time for righteous indignation was 25 years ago. How many jobs have been lost to China, Mexico, India, etc.?

I’m writing this letter on a Chinese-made keyboard. From the tile on my kitchen floor to the shirt on my back, the shoes on my feet and the TV I watch, it’s all made in China. Don’t blame the American consumer; in most cases it’s the only choice.

Our government borrowed enough money from China to literally float our boats in the Mideast. They know we will never be able to afford to pay it back, so the price of the loan was most favored trading status.

Yes, the time for a little protectionism was two wars and a million jobs ago.

LEE POWELL Leo-Cedarville