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Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
News / Opinion / Letters to the Editor

Letter: Return power to the people

By Linda Wallers, Vancouver
Published: August 7, 2021, 6:00am

Bill Ward asked, “Where did we go wrong?” (“Preserve freedom, capitalism,” Our Readers’ Views, July 26). I can answer that. We went wrong when the bounty of increased production of goods and services shifted from the producers of the profit (labor) to the owners (CEOs and shareholders). Labor creates wealth, but has been denied a sufficient share of that bounty since the 1980s.

But the bigger issue is, what is the purpose of government? Big government is not an independent organization. We are government: we, the people. That is why the many attempts at voter suppression are so alarming — the participation and votes of every eligible person are fundamental to the functioning of our republic. Organizations such as the American Legislative Exchange Council write legislation, not Congress, specifically with language favorable to corporations, leaving us with an unsustainable inequality at every level of our lives.

Achieving “a more perfect union” is impossible as long as the reins of power are held in the hands of the richest few who act for their own narrow self-interest instead of the good of the people. Give me good old FDR socialism over what passes for American oligarchical capitalism today.

We encourage readers to express their views about public issues. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Limit letters to 200 words (100 words if endorsing or opposing a political candidate or ballot measure) and allow 30 days between submissions. Send Us a Letter

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