There has been quite a dialogue going on in SW Missouri the last few weeks... via letters to the editors of various papers and via call radio call-in shows... The record of our current Congressman Roy Blunt, and his lack of interest in public debate, has been being discussed and debated with increasing frequency among the common folks that live here in the Ozarks.
The Springfield News-Leader printed two more letters today in an AWESOME exaple of "fair and balanced"... one of them was mine. The most amazing thing is that they actually put a link to opensecrets.org upon my suggestion that people should visit that site to discover how much money Roy Blunt recieves from corporate PACs.
http://springfield.news-leader.com/opinions/letters/0921-Fightingfo-183489.html
ROY BLUNT:
Blunt doesn't need to debate
I read with amazement your editorial in the September 5 News-Leader chiding Roy Blunt for staying in Washington, D.C.
His being in Washington, D.C. doing the people's business is what we pay Roy Blunt for. As you said, the only one that will benefit from a debate is his Democratic opponent.
We currently have two Democratic senators running all over the country trying to be elected to the presidency and vice presidency.
They are getting their pay checks and doing nothing to earn them.
I don't agree with Roy Blunt on some things (well, actually, on a substantial number of things). But he listens to people when they talk to him.
And I know his Democratic opponent stands for more taxes and more spending. That is the battle cry of the Democratic Party.
So, shame on you for telling Roy Blunt that he should not be earning his pay.
Edward Sackett, Walnut Grove
Blunt helps out tobacco farmers
Re: "Rep. Blunt works hard for District 7" Sept. 7 Readers' Letters.
Ms. Willet wrote, "He is a voice for our farmers and he addresses our senior citizens' concerns." That statement is simply untrue. Rep. Blunt has done more for the tobacco farmers of North Carolina than he has done for the family farms of southwest Missouri.
As far as "addressing the concerns of seniors," Congressman Blunt represents the pharmaceutical companies, who contribute tens of thousands of dollars to his campaign, more than he has represented the needs of senior citizens here in the Ozarks.
People should know that most of the money he spends in campaigning is not from individual donors, but from corporate PACs such as the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.
A nonpartisan group called the Center for Responsive Politics keeps track of contributions all Congressmen receive regardless of party affiliation. You can find out exactly who spends money garnering Roy Blunt's favors at www.opensecrets.org.
Mitchell E. Potts, Springfield