Country needs more leaders like Bean

I am responding to recent comments made by Republican County Chairman Daniel Venturi that couldn't be more wrong. I'm sorry to see someone like him stoop to the level of other candidates by telling outright lies about Congresswoman Melissa Bean. I thought the level of discourse was higher in our area, but I must've been mistaken. He first criticizes her use of the informational mailer that she, like her counterpart in the 10th district, Mark Kirk, sends out. The chairman makes it seem like we constituents who look forward to receiving the mailers as a way to keep in touch with Washington are somehow duped by them. I'm sorry, but I like many other civic-minded voters like to get my updates from the source. Venturi attacks her comprehensive energy position with distortions. He says she's against offshore drilling and that's just not true. I did not just take the mailer's word, I researched it and in her voting record, her published comments and in her interviews, they all confirm it. She supports offshore drilling when done in an environmentally responsible way. Yes, that means the Outer continental shelf. Yes, that means softening the current moratorium. It means everything Republicans have been calling for.

She really seems to be the type of person who sees both sides of an issue and chooses the best solution always with her constituents in mind. Her proposal would increase supply AND reduce demand. It's not just about drilling or keeping your tires properly inflated. She understands the complexity of the problem as well as the solution needed. I say congratulations to her are in order for getting it. We need more bipartisan leaders like her in office.

Lisa Marie Smith

Ingleside