Democracy at risk

Discussions regarding the 2010 elections have almost universally missed the point. The vote was clearly no reflection of an informed understanding of critical issues facing the country.

Throughout Obama's presidency, right-wing commentators and the Republican Party have been beating him, the Democratic Party and the country into submission. The GOP has consistently been the party of obstruction -- to a degree previously unseen in Washington. Aided and abetted by U.S. and multinational corporations, the GOP has waged war on all policies and proposals promoted by the majority party, even when they contain elements the GOP previously suggested or endorsed.

This war has depended on repeating lies and distortions to the extent that the public has become totally confused. Even when the science is clear, the GOP and right wing-commentators have concocted data and evidence to support their positions and successfully spread confusion.

In the "Citizens United" case, the Supreme Court decided to allow corporations to spend unlimited money supporting or attacking candidates. Karl Rove established two groups, "American Crossroads" and "Crossroad GPS," to collect and funnel anonymous corporate contributions to GOP candidates. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent millions of dollars -- supported by overseas contributions -- in the same campaign. The result is that Republican-leaning organizations spent $167 million on the midterms buying Congress.

In short, the money and lies won. Congress no longer represents Americans. It is an anti-science, corporate shill. There will be no democracy in the U.S. until campaign spending is controlled.

ALAN JOURNET, Ashland, Ore.