Cantor defeat a wake-up call

Cantor defeat a wake-up call

Political extremists are hurting our country by not negotiating to solve problems, making cuts to the most vulnerable, alienating many voters, women, and workers, constantly threatening to shut down the government, threatening to impeach the president, threatening to put Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security on the table and trying to balance a budget on the backs of the middle class.

Congressman Randy Hultgren of the 14th District has a voting record that reflects his extremist views. Hultgren has voted against unemployment compensation, the Illinois Climate Change Act, food stamps, or SNAP, free public transportation for seniors, any restrictions on assault weapons, the "fiscal cliff" to protect high-wage earners, the ACA 54 times at a cost to taxpayers of $54 million just to deny those with pre-existing conditions any kind of health coverage, blocked a bill that will allow students to refinance their student loans and against women's rights.

Hultgren has voted along party lines to shut down the government at a cost to taxpayers of about $25 million so that nothing gets done in Washington and he denies the existence of climate change.

The defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor June 10 was the earthquake heard around the country. Cantor spent years catering to his extremist base and giving billionaires and Wall Street whatever they wanted while the economy stagnated and the middle class suffered. Cantor received $5.5 million from Big Money while his opponent, David Brat, had just $122,000 from grass-roots supporters. Cantor was out of touch with his constituents and more interested in becoming the next speaker of the House

Eric Cantor's defeat is a wake-up call about the urgent need to save ourselves from these extremists.

Joni Lindgren

Elgin