Money not funny | San Luis Obispo Tribune

Alexis de Tocqueville said of us in 1830: “America demonstrates invincibly that the middle classes can govern.” Today, this governance is increasingly at risk. Tribune copy editor Steve Provost (July 30) recognizes this and deplores the corrosive influence of political megadollars in the media. So he votes early — “laughing as they waste their money.”

But this money is not wasted, and it’s not a laughing matter. Most elections are decided by money spent, and much lobbyist money continues going into the winner’s coffers well after — buying excessive influence and unethical favors that have little concern with middle-class governance.

Money has a place in politics, but it should not control legislative outcomes that thwart the majority will of Americans, such as tax incentives for moving companies overseas or financial bailouts for oversize banks.

Gridlock and executive overreach are inevitable results when legislators bow to respective lobbyists rather than promote the common good.