If I had to describe our country today, two words come to mind: greed and corruption. With all we have to deal with these days, my wife and I wanted a brief getaway to go camping. A chance to escape the negativity the news brings to us every night.

Because of gas prices, I chose to call a few local campgrounds in Old Orchard Beach. I was shocked by their nightly rates: Bailey’s quoted $146, Powderhorn quoted $150 and Paradise Campground quoted $100.

I know these are seasonal businesses, but Bailey’s has 700 sites and Powderhorn has 400. On holiday weekends, by my math, Baileys could make $102,000 nightly and Powderhorn $60,000. Add in store sales and rentals, and the only explanation is greed.

For $146, I could take my wife to a four-star restaurant and leave with change. Camping has always been an inexpensive way for families to share a quiet getaway. How can they justify $150 for a tiny piece of land with water and electric? Looking at how difficult the cost of living has become for middle-income families and seniors, our only option is to stay home.

It’s the same thing with skiing, one of the few activities I can still participate in. But ski areas are now run by Wall Street conglomerates and rates are insane. Again, middle-income families and seniors have to give up the leisure things we love. We are all victims of the Wall Street money machine, but where are local businesses?

Doug Davis
Windham