LETTER: Rep. Smith’s Medicare vote questioned

The following is in part an e-mail I sent to 3rd District Congressman Adrain Smith questioning how he could possibly represent the people of his district with many small communities of which many of the residents are Senior Citizens. 

The purpose of my message was to question how he could support President Bush's veto pertaining to Medicare. I also forwarded an e-mail to several residents in the 3rd District informing them of the content of my message to Mr. Smith.  I further stated as a senior citizen living in the 3rd District we can not afford to have such a man in office. 

I informed those receiving the message that I have been involved in this issue with two doctors, both U.S. Senators, and now Congressman Smith.  I also questioned those to whom I sent the e-mails if they were aware many of their supplements would not have picked-up the difference if the President and Congressman Smith had gotten their way.  I also questioned if they were aware many medical professionals are considering not taking any new medicare patients, and even some were cancelling current medicare patients. 

My final question was, can we afford to allow such to transpire, closing with the statement "the ballot box will be our answer."  Within a very short period I have received thank-you's from several residents and one doctor.

Jack Sample
Wood River