Start listening to your constituents

I am 62 years old and for the first time in my life I am taking an active role in trying to let elected officials know how I feel about the job they are doing. It is very discouraging and frustrating because I feel you are not listening. Common sense seems to have taken a back seat. You have run amok.

You are spending too much of my money. Yes, my money. You were elected to represent me and spend my money wisely. The debt you have incurred for generations to come is not fiscally responsible. You are bankrupting our country. Stop bailing out private enterprise. Stop the pork.

You don't even read the bills that come through. They are not even written by any of you, but by left wing radicals. Bills are incomprehensible and vague leaving interpretation open for whatever purpose you deem necessary after it's passed. Stop and read what you are voting on. What is the rush? Demand clarity for us, your constituents.

Stop the takeover of the health care industry. This is wrong on so many fronts. The arguments aren't about the facts any more. We do not want the type of medicine practiced in Canada and England - rationed, long lines and government deciding what is appropriate, cost effective treatment for our age group. Our health care is the best in the world, not lower than other nations like the President quotes. Don't tear down a system that 85 percent of the people are happy with for the few that are not.

Lastly, we cannot afford it. Medicare is on the verge of bankruptcy as it is. We're going to cover more people with more services and it will cost us less? I don't think so.

Listen to us - the voters you represent. Don't think that you are invulnerable. We can vote you out of office and we will unless you start listening to us. You are either in or out in 2010. You can count on it.

Jean Hefner

St. Charles