Letter To The People - May 2018
Publisher's Commentary
by Rökker
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few... or the one" - Spock
Star Trek has always been at the forefront dissecting the challenges of current culture. The original series from the late 60’s often used the science fiction backdrop as a setting to reflect the dangers of our larger social problems. Star Trek helped us to understand the issues in a new way so that we might use those lessons to better our society. It sure worked with the techie aspect of the show.
Then came the feature films and of course The Next Generation (who can forget the Ferengi and their race of ruthlessly greedy merchants?). But it is 1982’s The Wrath of Kahn that has a quote that I think reflects our current political situation in Wisconsin and could affect our current race for governor.
In this famous scene, Spock has realized that during the battle between starships, the USS Enterprise has been terminally damaged and it’s nuclear core will detonate killing all aboard unless the core can be cooled down. The only way to accomplish this feat is by hand and would surely mean he would not survive the radiation, even wearing a suit. Against all warnings from other crew, Spock enters the chamber and performs the task, saves the ship and is now dying from severe radiation poisoning. Through the glass, Captain Kirk asks Spock “Why?”, as his friend is slowly passing. His answer is (those of you who know can recite it now) “The needs of the MANY outweigh the needs of the few… or one”.
In our reality that statement is exactly the opposite of how our government is working in Wisconsin and federally. We live in a world where government works for a few people at the top but doesn’t work for the vast majority of people. Let’s read it the way it is now, “The needs of the few, or the one, outweigh the needs of the many”. How do you feel now?
In today’s political climate, lobbyists, corporations, and a very small number of individuals are able to donate large or unlimited amounts of money to politicians and their super pacs. I say a “very small number” because that’s how many have accumulated enough wealth to donate $20,000 or $500,000, or $400,000,000.
But when I say “donate” I really mean “invest”, because that’s exactly what is happening. It has become a form of legal bribery and the prizes are laws, policies, government contracts, and outright tax breaks that benefit the few…. or the one.
This is what leads the politician to say what the voter wants to hear and do the bidding of the donor once elected.
Money drains the truth from campaign promises and fills the swamp with rats.
Get money out of politics by refusing to vote for candidates who take those legal bribes. Find the candidate that is refusing large donations and super pac money so that government can work for all of us, and not just a select few. Caveat emptor.
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