To the editor:
The Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United has sadly ended decades of limits on campaign financing. Presidential campaigns are now in the hands of the richest people in our country and the large, wealthy corporations. Now, the super-rich can legally hand out unlimited funds to groups that openly campaign for a candidate, knowing that their donations will be kept entirely secret.
Some of these billionaire donors include the Koch brothers, Paul Singer, Edward Conrad, Harold Simmons, Bob Perry, Richard and Bill Marriott and John Paulson. All have a vested interest in backing candidates from the Republican Party so that if elected, these officials will be obligated to do their bidding. With the backing of these, it is possible to buy a governor, a congressman a senator or even a president.
In biblical times the Philistines were the wealthy class of people. As their army gathered to do battle against the Israelites, the mighty warrior who boasted to beat Israel was a nine-foot giant named Goliath. King Saul called upon a small, young boy named David to defend the people of Israel. It seemed an impossible match but as Goliath made his move, David reached into his bag and pulled out his simple sling and a single stone. You know how the story ends.
Today, Mitt Romney and the one percent represent the Philistines. President Obama and the 99 percent of American middle-class and poor is, of course, David. On Nov. 6, the stone is in our hand when we vote. Cast your vote and prove that this presidential election can not be bought!
Joseph Tenore
Hillsborough