Bean is a keeper in Congress

It's a tough year to be an incumbent running for re-election. There is a lot of indiscriminate anger in the community and a “throw ‘em all out" mentality. Lots of folks are still hurting from the worst recession in 80 years, and the Congress with its incessant partisanship and “I want mine first" attitude has earned its place as a focal point for much of the discontent.

Nevertheless, I will be voting to re-elect my representative Melissa Bean to another term in the House of Representatives. She continues to be a fiscal conservative and a social moderate both of which represent my viewpoint.

She has been proactive in getting tax incentives and other support for small business, which ultimately will lead to the creation of new jobs. She often votes with the majority party, but certainly has and will continue to take contrary positions on many issues. Her support of extending all of the Bush tax cuts is an example.

Bean supported and actually helped write the legislation to reform Wall Street, which in my view was badly overdue. After collecting input from thousands of constituents in the 8th District she supported the health care reform bill. It is hardly a perfect bill, which doesn't go near far enough toward reducing cost. I want Rep. Bean to go back to Washington and improve this legislation.

I completely reject the idea of repealing it and starting over, which has been the proposal of those who seemed satisfied with our out-of-control health care system. I want Bean's independent and rational voice representing me in Washington working with both Democrats and Republicans to solve the nation's many problems.

John Epstein

Mundelein