Murray focuses on the work

In last Sunday’s paper were stories explaining benefits from the health reform bill, including the elimination of discriminatory Medicare reimbursement rates in Spokane and incentives for a local medical school and additional medical residencies here.

On April 10 was a story about veterans’ problems in finding employment and Sen. Patty Murray’s proposed legislation to bolster veteran training and extend GI Bill benefits to vocational training programs.

Also in the paper April 10 was a picture of protesters waving signs advocating Sen. Murray’s retirement. Would these people prefer a return of the previous administration which turned a surplus into record deficits, led us into an unnecessary war in Iraq and presided over an era of zero economic progress for ordinary Americans, culminating in the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression?

Perhaps they would prefer a John McCain who has, in a fit of pique, declared his unwillingness to work on the nation’s problems for the rest of the year. Or a Sarah Palin who might decide in the midst of her term that running the country is less fun and lucrative than giving lectures and appearing on TV. I prefer leaders like Sen. Murray who are working to solve real problems of real people.

Donald D. Lamp

Spokane