Congress lacks diligence

The people we elect to protect our economy are the same ones that have created the high gasoline prices and the crippling effect its having on the economy. Congress, through inaction since the oil embargo of 1973, has not demonstrated due diligence in fulfilling its obligation to the public by consistently proposing and supporting alternative fuel sources and domestic crude oil supplies. It has had 35 years to correct this problem and had failed us miserably.

Now, instead of taking responsibility and coming up with solutions, the Congress points fingers at “Big Oil” companies, OPEC, or speculators, when in fact the Congress is to blame for this calamity. The Congress believes by putting up enough of a smoke screen we won’t see its failure to protect and serve the public, its only reason for existing.

The need for energy resources independence must be dealt with on several fronts at the same time, and dealt with consistently until reliable sources are developed in a way that protects the environment. This isn’t an impossible task, however, if you look at the lack of accomplishment from Congress, regardless of party affiliation for the past 35 years, you would think it is impossible.

This certainly isn’t a “Road Warrior” apocalyptic event and we’ll survive it, but as long as Congress refuses to learn the lessons of the past, we seem to be destined to relive them again and again. Maybe what the public needs to do is remind the Congress of its mandate to protect and serve our nation.

Think about it when you vote, and please vote. Once your chosen representative is in office, remind him why he is there — a lot.

Robert Martinez, Sweet Home

Obama values women

The presidential election will be a time to advance the role of women in American society, among other things. Barack Obama co-sponsored 14 bills (12 became law) aimed at helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. John McCain has no such record.

McCain’s history and character show that he does not value women. After returning from his Vietnam imprisonment, he discovered that his wife had been in a disfiguring and disabling accident— so he dumped her for rodeo queen Cindy. In 1986, he told a “joke” to a Republican gathering in Arizona about a woman being raped and beaten by a gorilla. In 1992, his wife teased him about his thinning hair, and he angrily replied, “at least I don’t plaster on the make-up like a trollop, you @#%$!”— the last word being the offensive and vulgar “c-word.” Even on June 26, 2008, in an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, he joked about wife beating. At best, McCain’s jokes are the antiquated and offensive mutterings of an outdated generation; more likely, they show an utter disregard for the safety and dignity of half the American population.

In either case, it is not the stuff of which good presidents are made. If elected president, Barack Obama will continue to support women and will promote further legislation to protect the rights of sexual assault victims (including children) and help women recover from domestic violence. Please join me in voting for Barack Obama.

Donna Dimski, Shedd