To the editor:

As a nation, we seem to have our priorities wrong. We don't cringe at paying for war and all its devastation and long term residual anger at the United States, yet, we allow lobbies for pharmaceuticals and other private interest groups to derail chances of good health care changes in this country.

I realize that there are lobbyists who do lobby for good causes, i.e., help for our veterans. Nevertheless, in many cases, legislators from both sides of the aisle vote not based on their constituents interests, but on who has filled their coffers.

Our court system, which allows exorbitant pay outs for malpractice, also contributes to our health care woes. Doctors are hit with higher and higher malpractice insurance including those who have never had a lawsuit against them.

Big business no longer rewards the lower level employees. The middle class has actually lost ground while the upper level management gets big bonuses and salaries. Workers in this country have increase their productivity, but haven't reaped the rewards. Where is the justice? All should receive an honest day's wages for an honest day's work. Those on top forget who has helped them there.

Our government has also contributed to our loss of jobs and lower wages by not only encouraging companies to go abroad, but has subsidized those moves. On whose side are our leaders?

Jim Brisky

Mohawk