LIMBAUGH MISLEADS WORKERS

Thanks to Marilou Johanek for her column on Rush Limbaugh. However, in
her rush to flush Rush, she could have mentioned more than the
two-tiered drug enforcement policy that puts poor drug addicts in jail
by the millions but lets self-important right-wing radio announcers go
to rehab.

Ms. Johanek could have pointed out that Rush and others like him have
been instrumental in mobilizing poor, working, and middle-class
(white) people to vote against their interests, like universal health
care (Medicare for everyone), better and equitably funded public
schools, regulations for large corporations, and the end of the
anti-democratic North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade
Organization.

Rush Limbaugh has convinced working people that Republicans will solve
their problems. A big mistake. Working people's interests will be
served when they consider Democrats like Dennis Kucinich, Al Sharpton,
Carol Moseley Braun, and the Green Party platforms. These candidates
and organizations offer real solutions that do not heavily favor the
plutocrats. Trickle-down economics be damned!

Growing up poor and working class in America, as I did, is much more
difficult thanks to pundits like Rush Limbaugh. Yet, even more
difficult to understand is how so many working people could be fooled
by his empty, self/wealthy-serving rhetoric.

MITCH BALONEK

Sherbrooke Road

Editor's note: Mr. Balonek is co-chairman of the Northwest Ohio Green
Party.