Challenge for Murkowski, Begich and Young

To the editor:

So how are our top leaders in Washington spending their time? By lobbing insults at each other and holding public events seemingly grounded in considerations more political than practical. Hey politicians, there is real trouble out here while you are playing games! We need jobs, a budget, deficit reduction and reform of our education system, to name just a few priorities.

As voters, we need to stop allowing the extreme members (on the right and left) to determine the direction of our country and demand our legislators begin to act reasonably. Governing involves listening and compromise, not following those elements that have no real goal in governing and are only interested in their own voices. We need moderate voices willing to sit down and achieve meaningful solutions, not just spout the party line, yell at the opposition and then get up and walk out.

I challenge Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich and Congressman Don Young to rise above the crowd and say, “Hold it. We work for the American people, not the party.” They need to speak out with that message to their colleagues in Washington and promote actions to achieve solutions, rather than just following along with the party line.

Is this too much to ask?

Patricia Fisher

Wasilla