An increasingly cynical electorate, which has long advocated "throwing the rascals out," seem to have been successful. Republicans Alan Simpson, Nancy Kassebaum and Bill Cohen, and Democrats Sam Nunn, Bill Bradley and Paul Simon, have all resigned from the Senate.
However, the sad part is that the above-mentioned people were all dedicated, intelligent and honest public servants whose only ambition was to make life better for all Americans. The reason for their departure seem obvious: the endless, sometimes acrimonious, debates over balanced budget, tax cuts and, of course, abortion.A balanced budget will be right on target, if we would eliminate the tax cuts and keep the defense budget reasonable. (Congress wants to increase defense spending billions of dollars more than the Pentagon asked for.) Important issues like transportation, health care and overpopulation remain unsolved. Abortion is also an issue that has no business in the lawmaking bodies of the states or the federal government.
Remember the ovation Ronald Reagan received when he stated, "Take government off the backs of the American people." Abortion is a very private and agonizing decision, and only for a woman, her family and her doctor to make.
Remember, abortion is a legal procedure. If you don't like it, have the law changed. As for our legislators who resigned, we all wish them well. But the country is the big loser with their departure.
Martin Schouten
Midvale