In reading the Oct. 17 article "Economic issues dominate 1st Congressional District debate," I was struck by the short-sightedness of the discussion about cost of living. Interesting how these folks decry the downstream problem of rising costs but don't mention upstream problems that have led directly to it, like the supply chain snafu that we continue to endure.

Since a reliable transportation system is essential to national prosperity, carriers used to be treated like utilities. Strong regulations kept them from gouging shippers, giving priority to mega-corporations, and other disruptive actions. Aggressive deregulation caused the wealthiest nation on Earth to run out of protective pandemic gear, infant formula and computer chips for the cars it manufactured.

Two questions: How do we manage to make life affordable for our citizens while allowing today's robber barons to hold the world's supply system hostage? And why is anyone still talking about a "free market" solving our problems?

Doni Tamblyn

Portland

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