Following the money

In Tuesday's paper Jo Ann Emerson and her campaign asked us to "follow the money." We did that, and here's what we found (www.opensecrets.org):Emerson has taken $628,179 from Wall Street and financial special interest PACs. She rewarded these same banks with a $700,000,000,000 bailout and then voted against regulating them to prevent another crisis. How's that for a return on their investment?

Emerson has taken $381,600 from health care special interest PACs. Are they giving her this money just for fun? No. They expect something in return, and that's exactly what they'll get if Jo Ann Emerson is sent back to Washington to "fix" the health care crisis.

Following the money is simple. Jo Ann Emerson takes 45 percent of her money from special interest PACs who expect favors in return. Over the past 14 years they have given her millions to get reelected, and in turn she has kept them very happy. It's hard to make tough decisions to cut spending and rein in the deficit when you've got so many lobbyists to please.

Tommy Sowers takes 97 percent of his financial support from people, not special interests. He is supported by a grassroots army of almost 4,000 individual donors in all 50 states. His supporters realize that this election is a unique opportunity to send a native, a veteran, a teacher and a leader to Congress, someone who will support our troops and fight for our home.

CHRISTIE CUNNINGHAM, 614 N. Pine St., Rolla, MO 65401