ABQJOURNAL OPINION/LETTERS: Letters To the Editor
Keep Democrats in the Capitol
LET ME GET this straight.
Obama and the Democrats are voted into office with a message of hope that by pulling together we can solve the problems we face as a nation. The Republicans, however, reject this and decide to put the interests of their party over the American people.
They refuse to join the Democrats in finding the compromises that under our political system are necessary to pass law. Instead they launch a "just say no" strategy to thwart the president’s legislative agenda at every turn.
Then, having succeeded in making the government just about ungovernable, using the threat of filibuster more times in the Senate than at any time in U.S. history, the Republicans blame the Democrats for being ineffective and "out of step."
Sound about right?
The Republicans and their Tea Party brethren, however, offer no solutions to our problems, just sound bites: cut government, slash spending, repeal health care.
So what do we do without? Who makes the sacrifices? They won’t say.
As New Mexicans we are being asked to vote for Republican House candidates so the party can take back control of Congress. And do what exactly? Bring back the good old days of policies that have hurt the middle class for so many years? That made the rich richer and everyone else poorer?
I don’t think so. Ben Ray Lujan, Martin Heinrich and Harry Teague are doing just fine and I expect that with more time and continued support they will help to heal our wounded economy and put in place the programs our state and nation desperately need.
No need to reward the Republican Party for its bad behavior. This November, I’m voting Democrat for Congress, and you should, too.
DAVID CUSHMAN
Rio Rancho
ABQJOURNAL OPINION/LETTERS: Letters To the Editor
ABQJOURNAL OPINION/LETTERS: Letters to the Editor
Record Shows No Reason For Working Class To Vote GOP Republican
MY FATHER WAS the only working-class member of the town meeting —the form of government — in the wealthy suburb of Boston where I grew up.
Whenever an issue was being debated, my father always asked the question, "What does it do for working people?"
At the time I thought it was a little too simplistic, but as I grew older I realized it is the most important question to be asked.
Given that, I ask: Why would any working person vote Republican?
Here is their recent record:
In the debate over "cap and trade," they came down on the side of the oil industry.
In the debate over health care reform, they came down on the side of the health insurance industry.
In the debate over credit card reform, they came down on the side of credit card companies.
In the debate over financial reform, they came down on the side of large banks and other large financial institutions that came close to destroying our economy.
In the debate over student loans, they came down on the side of financial institutions that were taking a "house cut" off every loan.
In the debate over repealing the Bush tax cut for those making over $250,000, they come down on the side of the rich.
Is there any question about who represents the interests of the rich and powerful and disregards the interests of working people?
RICHARD MASON
Rio Rancho
