Bean should create bills that help us
I read that Democrat Congresswoman Melissa Bean had proposed legislation requiring the clerk of the U.S. House to post all Congressional votes online.
I applaud any Illinois representative for proposing transparent measures, but we don't need legislation for that. Why can't she simply display all her votes on her Web site and challenge her colleagues to do the same?
Instead, I would prefer that our Democrat congresswoman focus on the most critical issues facing the 8th Congressional District.
She should be proposing legislation to trim our ballooning federal spending and eliminate earmarks, to remove the inequitable alternative minimum tax, to eliminate the estate tax and take steps to stop the acquisition of the EJ&E rail line by Canadian National before increased train traffic adds further road congestion to our area.
If she wants to help reduce gas prices, she should propose allowing oil drilling in the U.S, both in ANWAR (even Alaskans agree with this) and in our coastal ocean shelves (where other countries are already drilling) to help our country become more oil independent.
Today's technology will allow us to accomplish this in a safe, clean and productive manner, while improving our energy independence.
If the Democrats would also stop blocking the construction of oil refineries in the U.S., the oil supply issues would not be as large a factor as they currently are.
Our congresswoman should lead on the issues that are affecting our way of life.
Bean should be fighting for lower taxes, our property values, our small businesses and our local communities.
What we need are serious proposals to solve our serious economic and community problems, not more fluff legislation.
Larry Kozlicki
North Barrington