Letters to the editor Dec. 8

Private influence

I am deeply alarmed by recent developments in which private individuals, particularly Elon Musk, are becoming more involved in shaping government policy. 

Musk’s significant business interests, such as his ownership of companies that hold lucrative government contracts, create a dangerous precedent for conflicts of interest. His appointment to advise on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) raises serious ethical questions, especially since Musk’s companies — such as SpaceX and Tesla — rely heavily on government contracts with agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense.