The Supreme Court felt compelled to call Big Business a person. This was expanded to allow unlimited financing from some self-serving profit-oriented CEOs, who attempted to buy the election.

Millions of dollars were spent on negative advertising. Lies and half-truths flourished among the financial supporters of numerous Super PACS. Now, after the election, what can any president do with a divided, uncompromising Congress?

The president, Senate and House are controlled in varying degrees by the lobbyists, such as the National Rifle Association and big-money donors. Many citizens don’t even vote. Some, who vote, vote along party lines. Voting by party lines has created a divided nation similar to the Civil War days — the North opposes the South.

Both major parties are now planning strategy for the next election in order to spend more money and tell more lies. Prejudice against blacks, Latinos and Asians has been temporarily muted while the politicians search for more voter support. This great waste of money and energy should be spent for the common good.

The news media raked in these millions for advertising. They should feel obligated to keep the public informed of the truth behind Washington’s games.

Some politicians retire and expand their fortunes as lobbyists. Others are re-elected by constituents who are anxious to keep the pork barrel rolling. Some congressmen are dragged from hospital beds to vote the party line. They are re-elected long past their prime by us, the voters. Thus, extreme division continues and the “do nothing Congress” gets paid full salary.

Do not expect Congress to enact term limits on themselves. We the voters need to be informed and throw the bums out.

GARY WOLFE

Johnson City