So far the war images have been disturbingly successful in obscuring the public’s view of corporate crime in America. While the administration plays out its “axis of evil” skit, the accounting and securities reforms legislated this summer have been quietly undermined by the Bush White House. Like so many other domestic issues buried under a mountain or war hype and terrorism fears, reforms so essential to the economic health and financial security of American citizens remain toothless.

The SEC, mandated to uncover corporate irregularities, has had its annual budget reduced by 25 percent, making serious implementation of reforms seem problematic.

The war against Iraq, proposed by the Bush administration, is clearly not just about controlling Iraq’s substantial oil reserves. It’s about redirecting the media and public attention away from key domestic issues like corporate crime, while real reform quietly fades away.

Gordon Hayward

Westfield