To the editor:

In his recent commentary, Dolph Simons Jr. devotes almost half a page to extol the virtues of Charles and David Koch. He wonders why the people of Lawrence and Kansas don’t appreciate and respect them. Where is the love, asks Mr. Simons? Let me assure him that the Kochs’ modus operandi is well known throughout the country, and it’s not very flattering. Many are convinced these two men think big money will buy them all the government they will ever need to control every phase of our lives. The words plutocracy and robber barons come to mind.

Once government as we know it is diminished, who will protect us from the  plutocrats? I often think of Enron and the heartache that cost millions of Americans. That’s one example of deregulation that the Kochs would greedily embrace if given the chance.

Our tendency is to fear destructive forces from outside our borders, but I fear a greater source of danger comes from within. Let’s not sell our hard-fought freedoms to the high bidder. The Kochs of the world will work hard to convince us they have answers to all our problems. However we should be aware they are only interested in making a profit at our expense.