America is shooting itself in the foot. We allowed the Supreme Court to be stacked by Bush Junior, now the only chance of having a government for the people is gone.

Campaign finance was the only way to free legislators from being slaves to their campaign funds. Now, corporations and the very rich can emulate their peers in third world countries and buy influence.

Lobbyists did it to a certain extent, but now that there is no limit to donations, the money is too good not to indulge.

Once again, we are allowing ourselves to be distracted by rhetoric and labeling.

The Tea Party declared that the national debt is the No. 1 problem, and we allowed them to distract us from the actual number one problem, jobs.

People cannot pay taxes without jobs. There is no stimulus as good as one that gives money to the poor and middle class, as they spend it to live, and then to enjoy while concurrently reseeding the general economy.

Unemployed workers must still feed their families, and most will do almost anything to keep a roof overhead. What kind of environment do we want to raise our families in? One where compassion and inclusion rule, or the Law of the Jungle?

Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.