Everyone has heard of the super PACs that are not only backing candidates but buying them. They are not new to this year’s elections, but were silently active for many years. In 2010, Karl Rove’s super PAC from Virginia spent $400,000 to unseat five state senators in Maine, one of whom was John Nutting.

PAC supporters also backed many other far-right Republican (tea party) candidates who managed to stymie the whole legislative process in Washington during the past two years.

They are that part of the one-percenters who are not satisfied with the privileges of the rich; they also want the power to control government at all levels for their own benefit.

Does the public really want a president, senator, representative, governor or any other elected official who is bought and paid for by big business? I wonder what big business would want in return?

Buying or coercing votes has long been illegal in the U.S., but buying elections by buying a candidate was made legal by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission.

Voters must counteract the super PACs’ powers by financially supporting Democratic or independent candidates; by voting in all elections (nearly half of all voters don’t); and by joining Democratic or independent groups to find other ways to support and protect the rights of the average citizen.

Doris McNally, Leeds

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