As the election campaign storms forward for what has felt like forever, millions of dollars in campaign messages have revealed that there is not a single viable candidate for president this year.

The lies, smears and feeding frenzy of all of the talking heads that this campaign has engendered has highlighted the fact that we have few or no real patriots left. The performance of both parties for the last 12 years has reinforced the old saw that “to the victors go the spoils.”

While big business, with the support of favorable laws, continues to export our industries, technologies and prosperity that previously gave us world advantage, most politicians seek only re-election and to feather their own beds.

Playing world bully or global cop does not lead the people of Earth to a better condition. It only promotes hate, discontent and killing. Anyone remember the Roman Empire?

Extravagance at CEO levels, corruption in government and the me-first attitude today are all taking us in the wrong direction. Titillation of the masses by the media is also nonproductive. If we keep going in this direction, we will soon become desolate. As our source of energy dries up, the lights will be going out, and none of our dreams will be fulfilled. It is time for real change and real leadership. That is the gold we should be mining.

Elbert Derick, Wales