OPEN COLUMN
Reverse Robin Hood effect needs to stop

Editor, the Tribune: Some Republicans accuse Democrats of trying to redistribute wealth with tax-cut proposals. They call it the Robin Hood effect. What they refuse to acknowledge is that under the Bush administration, wealth is being redistributed from the middle class to those in powerful positions who manipulate the system for their personal gain. I call this the reverse Robin Hood effect. We are seeing it with the bailouts of institutions like Bear Stearns, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Our elected officials permit lobbyists to influence the reduction or elimination of regulations that protect the taxpayers. This lax oversight allows the well-heeled to walk way with millions without fear of reprisal.

It certainly would be refreshing to see our elected officials represent the interest of the taxpayers instead of special interest groups. The secretary of the Treasury said Fannie and Freddie are too large to be permitted to fail. Why is no one held accountable for permitting the failure of institutions that are part of our national economic infrastructure? The only ones left on the hook with no gain are the taxpayers.

We no longer need to be as concerned with what is done illegally as with what our representatives have made legal.

We must end the pervasive influence of special interests on our elected officials. Remember the Frederick Douglass quote, "Power concedes nothing without demand. It never has and never will."

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Douglas Simmons

1338 Overhill Road

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