An exercise in stupidity
Our nation has just gone through an exercise in stupidity with the government shutdown. Cost: $24 billion; 900,000 jobs; lost economic growth; higher debt interest; reduced consumer confidence; disrupted lives; and economic panic around the world.
Why? Because Republicans want to destroy the Affordable Care Law; a law passed by Congress, signed by the President and affirmed by the Supreme Court.
This is the first time in our history that the opposition has held our country hostage over a law rather than getting control of Congress and repealing it. Inexcusable!
Republicans have always wanted Obama to fail. Sen. McConnell and Rush Limbaugh made that clear. If the law succeeds that gives this African American a legacy they abhor. Hate runs deep with some.
Teddy Roosevelt wanted universal health care as did Harry Truman. Truman said, "it was my greatest disappointment." Social Security and Medicare needed fine tuning; Obamacare does as well. Why can't Republicans work with Democrats to make the law work for Americans in need?
Could it be they are controlled by money and the Koch brothers who financed the tea party; the brain child of Newt Gingrich? Could be.
WILBOURNE C. MARKHAM SR., Walden Tenn.
Don't expect to talk to congressman
Just when I begin to think that David Cook couldn't make a bigger fool of himself - over the top he goes, white horse between his legs, full of righteous indignation, ready to tilt at any windmill he encounters.
His friend couldn't get through to Rep. Chuck Fleischmann on the phone; he was not able to speak to him personally. Staffers and assistants wouldn't do. Fielding calls from constituents is one of the things they are paid to do, but any friend of Cook's should have a hotline to a congressman who represents 635,000 people.
Says Cook: "[A] citizen is supposed to be able to speak to his - representative." Says who? Why, David Cook, that's who. That should settle the matter for everyone. I am a friend and supporter of Rep. Fleischmann, and his predecessor. I would never be presumptuous enough to try to reach either of them on the phone. If I did and either of them took such a call while in office, I'd wonder if their other 634,999 constituents were on hold.
At least Mr. Cook didn't trot out his shopworn cliché: "Has it come to this?" - his standard whine whenever he gets his knee-jerk liberal feelings hurt.
JOSEPH A. REHYANSKY