Letters to the editor
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It's time for a 'yes' vote, Mr. Altmire
In response to my congressman Jason Altmire's meeting with opponents of health care reform ("Obama Stumps for Health Plan: Altmire Meets With Tea Party Group Against House Bill," March 11):
He has told people that he is not hearing from constituents who support health care reform, so let me once again state emphatically that I want him to vote for the Senate bill this week. I have e-mailed and called his office, attended and planned town hall meetings since last summer to send him this message. I know hundreds who have done the same. But he doesn't seem to get it. He either doesn't care or doesn't know what his constituents want.
I received a letter from Mr. Altmire Nov. 19 thanking me for my concerns and stating, "Due in part to your concerns, I voted against the bill." Really? We have been having this debate for a year. What kind of elected representative doesn't know his constituents' opinions by now?
I want to ask Mr. Altmire why he had 90 minutes to meet with the tea party activists in his office in Washington, D.C., but it took three months last summer to get a meeting with a group of constituents -- I was among the group -- who wanted him to support health care reform.
Congressman, yes, we expect you to support health care reform this time. It's your last chance to show leadership and courage.
TERRY HARTNETT
Ben Avon
The writer is the Ben Avon Democratic chair.
Reconciliation evils
Regarding health care in your March 7 editorial "Obama Pushes On": The Post-Gazette states, "Mr. Altmire, the moment of truth is at hand, and the eyes of the nation are upon you. Where will you stand?"
Well, southwestern Pennsylvania would like to know where the Post-Gazette stands on the hypocritical statements by Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Chris Dodd and others on the evils of the reconciliation rule when the Democrats were the minority party.
First Published March 15, 2010 12:00 am
