Editor, Gazette-Journal:

If, as Mr. Stephens recent letter states (Readers Write, Oct. 7), that "one of the most evident aspects to the Tea Party is the clamor for honesty" then it is unfortunate that he chose, as his example of government dishonesty and wasteful spending, a rehash of Glenn Beck’s June 21st Fox News report proposing Obama, by executive order, forced the government to buy into Petrobas, a Brazilian oil company, for two billion dollars so that George Soros could clean up when the stock rose.

Fortunately, this scenario has been thoroughly debunked by Factcheck.org. The $2 billion was funds approved for a preliminary loan commitment, for Petrobras to finance purchases of U.S. products and services and was offered through the Export/Import Bank of the U.S. The bank directors that approved the loan in April 2009 were three Republicans and two Democrats, all Bush appointees and no executive order needed as the bank is an independent, self-funding federal agency. Petrobras has applied for some of the funds to date but not the entire amount. Soros’s relationship with Petrobas has changed several times, and before this loan was approved he had actually sold stock in the company.

I’m sorry Mr. Stephens didn’t get to the Tea Party wanting to "take our country back" issue and, honestly, again I am in full agreement. In particular, I would like to get our Congress back. The need for each of our Senators and Representatives to raise an average $1,000 to $3,000 a day, every day of the year, to hold their seat is a distraction from the reason we send them to Washington. Money that could be helping stimulate the economy is pouring into campaigns across the county in record amounts and after a recent Supreme Court decision, with much greater ease and anonymity.

Are there protests? Anyone? No. The Democrats come up with a bill to at least get some level of disclosure on who the donors are, but that does not pass. Has money become the ultimate political power, that allows a few citizens, corporate and otherwise, to control our democracy and therefore our country? Rob Wittman voted no for disclosure; he does not believe that I need to know who is providing him with funds or who is paying for campaign ads on his behalf.

Well, in my democracy, I do.

Yes, Mr. Stephens, throw the incumbent louts out.

John Bonner

Gwynn, Va.