April 21, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: We have recently heard the frightening words of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders who warn that Donald Trump’s initiatives are nothing more than transparent attempts to line his own pockets and those of his tycoon friends. Democracy itself is at risk for extinction. “Trump will disappear you,” said AOC amid her “Fight the Oligarchs” rally tour.
The solution is to cancel the swaggering rich who endow their puppet politicians with generous campaign funds to steal elections. A good place to start would be with Bill Gates, George Soros, Michael Bloomberg, Warren Buffet, Reid Hoffman, Michael Morris, Stephen Mandel, Dustin Moskovitz, Seth Klarman, Henry Lauter, Avram Glazer, Amy Goldman Fowler, etc. Their combined booty easily tops $400 billion. The uber-rich give generously to politicians, knowing that a naive public often votes for the candidate who can afford to spend the most on advertising. The goal, of course, is to install friendly allies who would run government to the advantage of donors. It is deeply cynical and clearly a threat to democracy.
Oops, wait a minute! All the above reportedly donated to Democrat Party causes and candidates. Never mind. JOHN SAPPINGTON Rockbridge County
