Local Races Fueled by National Money

Your Oct. 31 article, “Costly House Race Set in Land of Poverty,” suggests that a good part of the West Virginia election war chest comes from the parties. And where did the two parties get the money? From outside the state. The two parties have raised $200 million nationwide in a nonpresidential election year.

So does it make a difference whether the contest site is rich or poor? Parties use national money. And money, the preferred voting medium, provides two choices on election day -- two ideologies. But in practice the two ideologies look and smell the same.

And voters throughout the country, turned off by the lack of choice, either stay home or vote for a personality. This year, it is either politician X, who ideologically favors business, demonizes his opposition and waves the flag, or it is politician Y, who clucks disapproval of his opponent’s lack of attention to the economy while bowing and scraping to demands of war.

Generally neither party works the issues. They silhouette around them. Dab at them. But mostly do a lot of posturing.

Jim Hoover

Huntington Beach

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Regarding your article about the campaign in West Virginia for a congressional seat costing almost $9 million: Where are these contributors when the children who are below the poverty line need food, clothing and health care? I feel this is a disgrace!

Lou Wiener

Santa Clarita