Congress cashing in

Government's latest side effect — depression, personal depression.

Those we elected have caused slow employment growth and airport delays. Because of the sequester, Medicare cancer patients now get chemotherapy at hospitals instead of clinics, at greater cost. Congress' success this spring was to vote to gut the STOCK Act, which bars them from insider trading.

Our representatives put their own wallets before the people they represent. They cannot even pass gun legislation supported by almost all Americans for fear that the National Rifle Association will stop filling their coffers.

The system is corrupt. Right after elections, members of Congress begin asking corporations and lobbyists for money. It is the only bipartisan activity in Washington, and we encourage it. We keep electing the same people who vote the straight party line or who avoid anything that slows their cash flow.

Would things change if we elected someone who didn't raise millions of dollars for a campaign? Most likely that person would need to raise money for re-election and fall into the same pattern.

We refuse to elect a Congress with the moral fiber to put America ahead of its own pockets. Depressed? You bet!

Lisa Anderson

West Point