End systemic corruption our elections
To the editor:
Most people reserve at least one day out of the year to express love for their country — the Fourth of July. But what about the day after? As part of the New Hampshire Rebellion, I will march this July 5 with other Granite Staters along the entire length of the New Hampshire Seacoast, 16 miles, to raise awareness of our efforts to save our country from systemic corruption.
I'm not talking about villainous corruption involving fraud or blackmail. I'm talking about systemic corruption, where our congressional representatives spend more time raising money for their re-election campaign than on any other activity; where super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of cash to elect the candidates of their choice; where the most money spent on a candidate decides the winner in 95 percent of the contests. It is corruption when big money consistently buys results in our government. The system is broken.
Recent research from Princeton University indicates the American government is no longer “of, by and for the people.” Our government is supposed to represent the interests of its citizens, but instead it represents the interests of the elite. Our representative democracy is becoming an oligarchy.
Naturally, people feel powerless. A recent poll shows 91 percent of Americans believe nothing can be done to reduce money's influence, even though 96 percent agree that it’s a problem.
This feeling breeds apathy and cynicism, but I am hopeful. At the core of my hope is the fact that this problem affects everybody, regardless of political affiliation. When a small, powerful group controls the purse strings for a politician's re-election campaign, party doesn't matter.
Because of the nonpartisan influence of money in politics, ordinary citizens must unite. We can reject the narrative that we are a country divided. In spite of ideological differences, we have a lot in common that makes our country great, as evidenced by the men and women who have readily sacrificed their lives to protect it.
No matter what issue you stand for, no meaningful progress can be achieved as long as systemic corruption persists in our elections.
By shining a light on systemic corruption, I believe New Hampshire can save America. Our unique “first in the nation” status in primary elections is that important. We can ensure that every presidential candidate comes forward with a specific plan to address the corruption in Washington.
I hope you do not reserve your patriotic zeal for only one day out of the year. Join me in speaking out on this one issue that prevents progress on every other issue that matters. I call on all Granite Staters to join me and NHrebellion.org in our walk across the seacoast on July 5.
Eric Zulaski
Manchester
