Letter: Financial chiefs running the U.S.

In 2008, something happened that rarely happened before. A public entity bailed out a private entity to restore confidence and stability to the markets. Deregulation gave investment banks more leverage to use customer funds to further line their pockets with fees. Informed people know what happened, but since those events, no indictments or convictions followed.

This is not a financially secure country anymore. Washington does not run anything; it is the big shots on Wall Street who dictate the candidates and elections every four years. It's parallel to bid-rigging. No matter who you vote for, it's predetermined that Wall Street will support that candidate.

I actually started laughing when President Barack Obama and the "change" campaign was presented. The rich will not tolerate any disruptions to their greed; just contribute financially and the scam continues. Why don't wealthy Americans pay a higher tax rate? It's not because of Washington; it's because Wall Street doesn't want it.

The protests planned for later this month in Manhattan are a starting point, but more people have to be involved.

Marco Fiorletta, Lindenhurst