To the editor:

July 20, 1969, the United States was the envy of the world. Americans Neil Armstrong and “Buzz” Aldrin were the first men to walk on the moon. There were no venomous debates about whether these astronauts were Democrats or Republicans, liberal or conservative. They were Americans.

Forty years later, we are a country with a national debt exceeding $14 trillion ($45,000 for every living man, woman and child). The disparity between the wealthy and the middle class has never been greater and continues to increase. What happened?

In my opinion, the number one reason is voter apathy. We voters have been a pathetic herd of sheep that have allowed our elected officials to govern as autocrats for the sole purpose of remaining in office. The politicians know where the votes are so they align themselves with the undeserving (Wall Street, AIG, Fannie, Freddie, GM, unions, etc.).

In my opinion, city hall and Douglas County officials could be the poster children for no growth, stagnation and mediocrity. Our city’s public transportation system is a classic example of inefficiency. Empty buses polluting our air and creating potholes are an everyday occurrence. City Hall turned their backs on 120 new jobs that Lowe’s would have created with no taxpayer incentives. This past year, Douglas County officials raised our taxes because they didn’t have the backbone to cut expenses. Today, these same officials are providing Berry Plastics a $431,300 tax break to create 11 new jobs. Is it any wonder that taxpayers are mad as hell?