Public officials don't create trade

Regarding the Monday article, "County officials defend the value of planned travel": Let's see. Some County Council members are going to promote trade with China, Chile, and many more countries by establishing personal relationships with officials of foreign governments. Are we really to believe that this is what produces trade? It's not the private companies providing a product that is needed and wanted by all people, everywhere? These county officials are the instruments that close the sale?

Maybe the council members should disclose to us the sales they have closed.

Maybe they should disclose the sales contacts (aside from travel arrangements) they have had.

Maybe their expenses should be transparent, much better than Aaron Reardon's.

The U.S. is broke. The state and county governments are in serious financial trouble, but these ladies and gentlemen want taxpayer paid trips to wine country in Chile.

Could this be one of the reasons we're in so much trouble?

Bob Willis
Arlington