Influencing elections
TO THE EDITOR: Two years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States gave corporations the rights and power to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence any election, without disclosure of where the money came from.
We have already seen the effects of this decision. Most recent elections have been the most expensive ever run in the United States. In 2004, George W. Bush spent $120 million. During this presidential election cycle, President Obama expects to spend almost $1 billion. The common person often has little or no effect on who will be elected.
Real danger lies in the effect outside money could have on local elections. For example, a large corporation owning a business in Plattsburgh could spend unlimited amounts of money to get a local candidate elected. That person, once elected, would act favorably to their business practices, such as allowing relaxed environmental rules to remain in effect, thus saving the company millions.
We must work at ending the ridiculous ideas put forth by the Supreme Court that money is equal to free speech and that a corporation is a person.
The Progressive Coalition of Northern NY will take action by introducing a resolution to protect election laws in the City of Plattsburgh. PCNNY will ask the Plattsburgh Common Council to reject that corporations are people and deserve the same protections afforded actual human beings.
This resolution is not a new idea. Many cities, counties and even states throughout the United States have passed resolutions to amend the Citizens United decision. Without amendment, we risk losing our democracy as we know it.
On Friday, Jan. 20, a rally and meeting with Congressman Owens was one event in PCNNY's ongoing effort to amend the Citizens United ruling.
JAMES C. KING
Cadyville PCNNY member
Tougher laws
TO THE EDITOR: New York needs to get tough with sex offenders. We need to stop handling these people with kid gloves.
I am of the belief that everyone deserves a fair chance at rehabilitation, even these people. If it were up to me, I would have them sentenced to prison for 2½ to seven years on a first offense with five years of parole upon release.
After that, if they re-offend, we should sentence them to life without parole. Some would argue that now we would be wasting our tax money on them for the rest of their lives. I would say: We are doing that anyway because these offenders can't work so they are being supported by us anyway.
We need to keep our children and grandchildren safe from these predators. Megan's law is not enough. In fact, Megan's law is often misused. This law was put into effect so that you could protect your children by knowing where these people live. It was not put into effect so others could harass the offender; in fact, you can be arrested for doing so. FYI: Posting the offender's picture and info all over the neighborhood is a form of harassment. Everyone is entitled to a peaceful life so long as they do not break the law.
Be aware, protect your children, and write your elected officials to demand tougher laws for the protection of our children. They are our future.
Joe Gittens
Plattsburgh
