cDear Editor:
I am writing in response to the article written by Joshua Blades entitled “National Park Entrance Fees Not Used Properly” which was published in your Jan. 29 issue.
The article, which blames an “ignorant right-wing congress” for the misappropriation of funds generated by the recently instituted park entry fees, has poorly portrayed our national system of checks and balances.
The system of checks and balances, for anyone who slept through freshman history, maintains the idea that no branch of the American government has supreme and outright control over the other.
Even though our government is flawed, checks and balances have been the one shining light in our Constitution throughout our short history.
Keeping this system in mind, I ask you, who was the president at the time this bill was passed? None other than the pride of Little Rock, William J. Clinton, a Democrat.
If the bill was such a grand conspiracy by the “ignorant right-wing conservatives,” then why didn’t our Democratic president veto the bill? Then the vote could only pass with a two-thirds majority, something the “ignorant” conservatives did not have at the time.
So, how did this bill just happen to slip by our Democratic president? Maybe Bill was, to put it kindly, distracted?
I also ask the writer to keep in mind that George Bush opened Alaska to free up Alaskan oil in order to prevent a rise in gas prices. I ask you then, what happened to gas prices under Clinton? Take a look at any gas station price-board and you will find out. We now pay on average $1.45 per gallon while we only paid about $1 per gallon under the Bush administration. I do realize the impact OPEC has had in the rise, but wouldn’t it be nice to have alternatives to Middle Eastern energy?
Therefore I urge Mr. Blades to print factual data instead of an outright piece of propaganda.
Also keep in mind how our government works and what rights the Democrats have to prevent such measures from passing before he attacks any faction in American government. I do realize all bets are off where editorials are concerned, but as a journalist, Mr. Blades does have a responsibility to present accurate data.Zackary A. Cope

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