Coy Cross: Eventually, money corrupts everyone involved in politics

Re “Who says we can’t afford $15?” (Letters, April 16)

Re “Real welfare cheats have plenty of money” (Page 9A, April 16)

There was a letter written in regards to the $15 minimum wage and our state’s inability to afford it. On the same page was an opinion column written by Nicholas Kristof about the “Real welfare cheats.”

Politicians might start off with the best intentions, but money seems to corrupt all whether it’s financial backing during an election or an all-inclusive “meeting” at a beautiful resort in the Caribbean or Hawaii. This process is buying influence.

Take the money out of politics, limiting donations and eliminating the Super Pacs. Is it ever going to be possible that the votes of the lower or even middle income voters will have the same influence as the lobbyist who schmoozes all of our politicians? Why not take the power away from the Washington lobbyists, take the money away from the super pacs? When there is more control on the “buying” of political influence then, and only then, will the “votes” of corporate America, Wall Street, the banking industry and the so-called 1 percenters’ be equal to ours. Then, maybe, their contributions to our society will be equal as well.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 12:36 PM with the headline "Coy Cross: Eventually, money corrupts everyone involved in politics."