Since the U.S. Supreme Court opened the floodgates to literally unlimited expenditures to support their selected candidates (read “shills”), the wealthy grow ever more capable of determining the political make-up of our “representatives” in the law-making bodies at both the state and federal levels via the money poured into the election-campaign processes. The ultimate absurdity is the Koch brothers’ financial backing of the so-called “tea party,” those adamant few championing “no new taxes” – especially for the rich! Then add to that the number of representatives that already belong to the 1 percent club. It just doesn’t look good for us 99-percenters.

One definition of the political concept of “fascism” is a government controlled by corporations, which are now defined as “people” and have the right to unlimited political contributions. I believe we are dangerously close to that point. I think we middle-classers are in trouble, and our only hope is a well-informed – and participating – voting body.

In the story “Surprise! Global wealthy growing richer,” (Herald, Jan. 20) it talks of the efforts of Oxfam International to persuade the have-nations to come to the aid of the have-nots. It says those efforts included nearly $900 million spent lobbying in Washington to affect some change. $900 million! Who got that money? Maybe a few new members were inducted into the 1 percent club!

Joel Fleming

Durango