Op-ed was self-serving

To the editor:

I thought Senator Hatch's op-ed piece in the paper last Wednesday (March 3) was hypocritical, self serving and misleading. I will address Senator Hatch's two main points. In regards to the legislative process known as reconciliation, that particular process has been used 22 times since its inception, 16 times by Sen. Hatch's own party. Seems to me the good senator likes reconciliation unless it involves legislation with which he disagrees. Concerning the much debated health care reform.

We had eight years of the Reagan administration, four years of George H. W. Bush and eight years of George W. Bush. That is 20 years of Republican administrations and health care reform. When President Clinton tried to enact a health reform plan much of the same old tired scare tactics were also employed then.

Senator Hatch what the American people want is for you pontificating self assumed important politicians, whether you're Republican, Democrat or Independent, to get off your big fat collective gluteus maxi and do the job for which we (the taxpayers/your employer) hired you to do. Like the song says, "A little less talk and a lot more action."

Michael S. Kinser

Portland

 

The blame

To the editor:

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if the Democrats and Republicans are against deficits, that we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, that we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don't have the Constitutional authority, which is the supreme law of the land, to go to war. Congress does, but they gave up that authority by resolution to the president to go to the United Nations for permission to go to no-win wars. You and I don't write the tax code. Congress does. You and I don't set fiscal policy. Congress does. You and I don't control monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred Senators, 435 members of the House, one president and nine Supreme Court Justices - 545 human beings of a U.S. population of more than 308 million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for domestic and foreign undeclared war problems that plague this country.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 308 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted by present facts of incompetence and irresponsibility. Those 545 people and they alone are responsible. They and they alone have the power. They an they alone should be held accountable by the American people who are their bosses - provided we have the gumption to manage our employees.

Paul F. Double

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