This country was built by men of vision and investment. The moguls who had the capital and the wisdom built the railroads, steel plants, electric system, oil refineries, and much more -- by hook and crook in many instances. They paid few taxes, if any, starvation wages, no unions for employees, no safety rules, no Social Security, no health benefit, no EPA, no unemployment contributions, etc.

The recent election taught me that the Tea Party Republicans and their fellow members want the United States to return to the days when the country was very polluted, there was no safety net for the sick and injured on the job, and there was child labor to help put food on the table. The Republicans want right-to-work laws in the states so they can pay very low wages. If you ask for a decent wage, you are shown the door. I have worked under those conditions.

The banks took bad risks on home loans and then would not loan money to companies to operate, and companies downsized and shipped their manufacturing out of the country where very low wages are paid just to make large profits. It caused a snowball effect, resulting in our recession.

It would be wise to start making products here putting Americans back to work. That would take us out of the recession.

I say buy American. The big money people should start putting people to work in new plants; they have the money. The time is now.

John Kronenberger

Belleville