Who are they serving anyway?

I, like most Americans, am fed up with the actions of the servants we have sent to Washington to represent us. Somehow these elected officials have forgotten that they are the servants of the people and have taken on the roles of kings, lords and rulers over the people who gave them their positions. Instead of the Social Security program that they have dumped on American citizens, they have a lavish lifetime retirement program that gives them plenty in benefits. Instead of Medicare, they have medical care that is second to none. They continually heap laws on their constituents but exempt themselves.

They have bankrupted everything that they have touched and now they want to run our health care? Screwing up the Postal Service is a hindrance but there is always FedEx and UPS. Not so with health care.

Most of them likely are incapable of balancing their own checkbook, much less our budget. Now they are bankrupting our children and grandchildren by spending money that this generation cannot pay back.

There is a solution to all this: Vote the scoundrels out. Then take away their lucrative retirement programs and require them to partake of Social Security and Medicare. Limit them to two terms in office and require a balanced budget.

America is as near to its deathbed as it has ever been in my long lifetime.

Jerrell Roy

Waco

Hiding behind his spokesman

Just who is Mark Miner? I know he is identified as Gov. Rick Perry’s spokesman. And just as the president of the United States has a press secretary, so should the governor of Texas. But Perry seems to have taken it to another level, hiding behind this guy and allowing Miner to constantly do his barking for him, especially during Perry’s never-ending election cycles.

Indeed, the tone of Miner’s responses to anyone challenging the governor has all the bite and meanness of a pit bull. Is this also reflective of the governor’s thinking? We must assume it is, and it does not reflect well on the governor’s office.

With Miner holding such a critical position, and because we undoubtedly will hear more from him than the governor this election year, the Trib would provide an invaluable service to its readers and voters by publishing a detailed, investigative profile of Miner. Just who is this guy and why does the governor put so much trust in him?

Mike Long

Woodway

Not by ‘whatever means’ possible

In response to Barbara Collier’s March 4 letter urging passage of the health care reform bill “by whatever means,” I must say her simplistic assessment of the health care problem brings to mind a political dilemma from years past during which President Richard Nixon was battling the Democrats. My thoughts at the time were: “Do whatever is necessary to win.” Shortly thereafter, we read about the Watergate break-in.

Today the folks who are advising President Obama must be from the same background as Nixon’s advisers were.

Most citizens do not understand the problems with our health care system, and our federal government fails to address specific problems with the system. This varies from pressure by lobbyists to a burning desire to redistribute wealth.

We best begin to seriously address our major problems or there will be no wealth to redistribute.

Ben Barton

Mart

Right-wing extremists are threat

The United States has another war on its hands: the war against right-wing extremists. They are like home-grown terrorists. These people are every bit as dangerous as al-Qaida.

Now is not the time to stick our heads in the sand. These people must be reined in. It’s only a matter of time before they start sending out suicide bombers.

I urge President Barack Obama to push his health care reform bill through, then focus on creating jobs. Hopefully the extremists won’t derail everything good he tries to accomplish for us.

Mario Villarreal

Oglesby

Lack of common courtesy

On the afternoon of March 5, a large red Dodge extended cab pickup truck parked next to my vehicle at Richland Mall, leaving only 3 inches of space on my driver’s side. I was unable to open my door and had to crawl through the passenger’s side.

Being a cancer patient, climbing over the console put strain on my body and I am still feeling the pain today.

I’m sure the driver was in a hurry and didn’t realize I couldn’t get into my car, but please, drivers: Be more courteous.

Laverne Brudos

Waco

Last word on Peanuts issue

There have been many letters written in response to my Feb. 22 letter about what I felt was an inappropriate Peanuts cartoon that the Trib ran on Valentine’s Day. One person called me “crabby.” Well, I believe in peace and love, and I want everyone to know that I’m a good person. I would give the shirt off my back if someone needed it. I make friends everywhere I go.

I feel sorry for those who wrote ill of me. It must be horrible to go through life feeling like Charlie Brown, only to find you are really Lucy. I hope you get some peace and love in your soul. Perhaps I have a little hippie in me, but I feel free. We all would do better to feel free from some the cruelness in this world!

Nancy Erskine

Marlin