In response to Kris Ankarlo's column ("Democratic candidates realize social problems not separate from economic policy," Oct. 13) regarding Ralph Nader, the Democratic Party and President Bush's shortfalls as president, I would like to offer a different point of view. You claim Nader and presidential candidates such as Howard Dean are leading a push against big business, particularly by taking on special interest groups and putting an end to the "looting of developing countries."

Let me remind you that these special interest groups represent the special interests of actual American citizens. Groups like the National Riffle Association and Healthcare Providers represent the interest of citizens of our fine country and their opinions and desires are important and should be taken seriously. It was mentioned that by giving into big business, America sometimes fails to provide care for a sick person with no money. But without the big businesses that run our healthcare industry, most of today's modern medicines would not exist.

Also mentioned was how President Bush adds to the "looting of developing countries" by encouraging businesses to seek cheap labor. Let me remind you that the citizens of these countries have no other economic opportunity offered to them.