America is about business, not government. It's scary to read a letter to the editor from a student majoring in international politics in The Daily Collegian that criticizes businesses involved with state governments. As someone of such a study, Martin Austermuhle should understand that this world is about business and the private sector and not about government jobs. For this reason, corporations should be directly involved with politics at all levels.

The National Governors' Association could not exist without a massive financial support from the private sector. State College gains so much from this historic visit of most of this great nation's state governors. To let someone like Gov. Tom Ridge know what he needs to remember in making policy as an elected official, companies like AT&T, Microsoft, and America Online (three major private companies working directly for people), must meet and discuss decisive issues concerning the private sector, which directly impacts consumers and tax payers. These types of talks need to be private and personal so that information can be exchanged that will aid all parties involved.

I don't understand how Martin Austermuhle can call this buying an elected official. It's absolutely absurd.

I personally volunteered my time and energy at the NGA meeting on campus. There might have been a lot of security but it wasn't a militarized zone. I understand that many people do not respect or understand that certain restraints must exist to provide the security necessary to keep the governors safe and comfortable.

I was down on Allen Street this past weekend when a few governors came to meet the people of State College. It was nice to see both Republicans and Democrats that I know meet and greet these leaders politely. But in the background the rude and obnoxious protesters shouted annoying statements that ruined the experience for a lot of people.

Martin Austermuhle seems to defend the protesters with his statement, "and protesters are made to seem like the fringe radicals." Fifteen of these ignorant people were arrested because they locked arms and tried to stop traffic.

Being a person who has protested many times last year with such actions as the unsuccessful Old Main campout, it seems idiotic if not crazy to be in support of people that would put drivers and themselves at risk to attempt to get a vain message about an issue out.

All throughout the meeting, differences on issues were appropriately discussed without people being arrested. I think people that are so quick to attack government as well as its involvement with big business need to step back and reread what a democracy really is.