Attorney Profession's Ill Effects-February 2000-By Harsha Sankar

Dear Citizen, February 2000

Solid evidence exists to indicate that the ill effects of the effective control by the legal profession of all government extends to every aspects of the nation’s life. Health care costs are too high and rising, public education is highly inadequate, citizens feel unsafe, litigation (frivolous and otherwise) abounds, divorced families are emotionally and financially destroyed, ethical standards in the legal profession and government are at the lowest ever and continue to drop, public apathy with respect to government is dramatically high and still rising, and the direct and indirect costs of the legal profession’s monopoly has been estimated by Steve McGee in 1990, prominent University of Texas economist, as one trillion dollars per year . The number is undoubtedly much higher today.

This reprint is one major reason why I fail to understand why the voters in the 18^th District voted nearly 3-1 for Creigh Deeds in the last election. His opponent Michael Collins, albeit an attorney, took a principled stand when he refused to take money from not just lawyer organizations but from any special interest group. This position demonstrated that his allegiance would be to the 18^th District constituents specifically, to Virginians generally, and that he would never be perceived to be involved in any conflict of loyalties and interest. He clearly stated that money and special interest lobbying is eroding the democratic process.

This letter is in no way criticizing Creigh Deeds’ personal integrity or his lawyer ethics. However, if people want the systems to be transparent, serving and protective of their individual and representation rights, then we need to hold our elected officials to higher public standards. When a prospective politician makes a major sacrifice by forgoing special interest financing, he/she deserves a chance. If that particular individual fails to fulfill expectations, then the electorate can fire him/her at the next election.

By taking money from both the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the tobacco lobby, Creigh Deeds is practicing the “Don King” maneuver. A trillion dollars invested, as opposed to this amount being currently siphoned, would bring numerous opportunities to the deserving working, entrepreneurial, and technical people in America.

Very Truly Yours,

Harsha Sankar

908 Valley Ridge Road

Covington, Virginia 24426