We now have 10.2 percent unemployment in this country. That means that in excess of 30 million Americans are either unemployed or underemployed. We don’t hear a word from those affected workers. They’re too busy trying to find ways to provide for their families. What we are getting is the hand wringing and crocodile tears from those who have caused this catastrophe.

Politicians in Washington, of both parties, gave us NAFTA and CAFTA, which didn’t help anyone but the CEO’s and the corporations who shipped our jobs to cheaper labor markets. Those same members of Congress and several presidents have allowed illegal aliens to take jobs away from our citizens. We have given “Most Favored Nation” status to many countries including China. The controls and safeguards to “protect” our industry and workers are not enforced.

Thank you Democrats and Republicans for creating this situation. Our unemployed are not contributing tax dollars. Illegal aliens have jobs but don’t pay taxes. However, both of them take money out of our treasury. The former because they have to and the latter because they can. The CEO’s reap the benefits given to them. What do we, the taxpayers, get? Higher taxes. Remember this on election day.

Leonard Martin

Oak Harbor