Political Poker

George Mitrovich and Jim Wallis (Commentary, April 22) write about our uncivil political process without acknowledging historical process. History shows that radical campaign finance reform is necessary.

For at least 30 years now, in my experience, capitalists have been purchasing political influence as if it were just another commodity. I took my first “practical politics” course in a small city in Iowa in the early 1960s under the sponsorship of the local Chamber of Commerce. It followed the enthusiasm of the city for a visit by General Electric’s ambassador, Ronald Reagan.

The extent to which business in recent decades has systematically turned politics into a poker game where the pot is always for sale is unprecedented. Why bother to talk if all that matters is the highest bidder?

REXFORD STYZENS

Long Beach