Letters: 'Big-monied special interests' pulling the strings of unscrupulous politicians
Elected officials are 'puppets of big-monied special interests'
“Is PUCO a watchdog or lapdog?” (Dec. 1) is an awesome article headline. But the problem runs much deeper: Most of the elected representatives are lapdogs or puppets of the big-monied special interests.
Pulling the puppet strings of money are the auto dealers, energy companies, nursing home industry, health care providers, gun lobby, etc. — all getting legislation to benefit themselves, their pocketbooks, their profits!
More: Watchdog or lapdog? Ohio's utility regulator did more to help FirstEnergy than hamper it
But where are the people represented?
They can’t raise the money and buy the influence that these monied interests do. We, the people, generally don’t get to write the bills and schmooze to get our way.
My personal solution to this is that if you received a significant campaign contribution from a group, you automatically have a conflict of interest and therefore can’t vote on their bill.
Hugo R. Trux IV, Upper Arlington
Build Back Better's climate advocacy is a step toward our future
The Build Back Better Act, having recently passed in the House, is now up for debate within the Senate, with many pressing for a vote to be made before the year ends.
More: Is President Biden sleepy or building nation back better? Let's talk about it.
The deal is massive, calling for a total of $1.75 trillion of spending, most of it going toward various social expenses. A whole $555 billion is being put toward fighting climate change, as it aims to cut pollution, reduce energy costs, provide jobs, advance environmental justice and sustain climate investments.
More: "We must always do what’s right, no matter the consequence"
Bold legislation like Build Back Better is the kind of climate action that has been needed for years, so it’s refreshing to see it in the works. Climate advocacy is certainly essential on the community level, but for the sake of everyone’s future, the main contributors to climate change need to be held accountable and businesses need to be incentivised to engage in sustainable practices.
Fingers crossed it passes, but regardless, this is just one of the steps toward building a future we all deserve.
Henry Schuellerman, Columbus
More: How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Build Back Better, elected 'puppets,' put country over party
