Letter: Our Democracy is being eroded

In 1992 we and our two youngest children visited Washington, D.C., that included finding a spot on the Capitol grounds lawn to watch the Fourth of July concert. I recall seeing the Capitol steps covered with people and thinking, with pride, 'we (the people) own this, it's ours.” Perhaps that was somewhat true then but now, in retrospect, that seems quaint and naive.

We no longer own it - the owners are the big money interests through our legislators who, because of the corruption of politics by money and supercharged by the Citizen United decision, owe their re-election (their primary concern) to the preservation of wealth, privilege and influence. 'Of, by and for the people,” unless you consider corporations as people, is largely myth at the federal and increasingly, state level - observe Iowa for one.

The last election might have mitigated the 'hollowing-out” of democracy somewhat but instead enhanced it. If you expect the conservative political class to work in the interests of the American masses you probably think an administration of foxes would work in the interests of the chicken house - apparently many conservatives suffer that delusion.

Having visited many countries we know there are a number of desirable places to live outside the divided states (especially the 'red states”). With faint hope our political climate will improve. If our grandchildren were of age we would be encouraging and enabling them to look for superior alternatives.

Jim Highly

Fairfax