Editor’s Note: The following is an open letter from a local citizen to Rep. Reid Ribble,

I cannot believe that our elected representatives are willing to ignore the best interests of their constituents and let the government shut down rather than accept the will of the majority and the practice of democracy wherein the majority rules.

President Obama was duly elected by the majority of voters even if your party has not accepted that. The Affordable Care Act is a law that was duly enacted and upheld by numerous courts including the U.S.Supreme Court. The majority of Americans understand the benefits enacted by the affordable Care Act and want it to move forward, from 54 percent to 82 percent, depending where you read it.

In a democracy, there should be no problem implementing the law.

Instead, the House Republicans have accomplished very little, if anything, except to obstruct any progress on many items that would be helpful to their constituents, especially the Affordable Care Act. Many of us are sick and tired of it, I totally am.

I expect the Republican Party to show some maturity and act responsibly. Keep the government functioning, in the words of the Serenity Prayer, accept what you cannot change and have the wisdom to recognize it.

Furthermore, if the Republican Congressmen manage their household finances the way they seem to want to manage the government finances, they would all be seriously in arrears. Yet that is exactly what refusing to raise the debt limit is about. Over the years, Congress has agreed to spend a certain amount. By not raising the debt limit, Congress reneges on money they agreed to spend, much of it left over from President George W. Bush’s terms.

Both the government shutdown and the refusal to raise the debt limit threaten to further destroy America’s credibility and leadership position in the world. The last “crisis” caused our bond rating to fall, for the first time ever. I believe you promised to build America as a congressman, not tear it down.

I understand that there is concern about our deficit. I would point out that the non-partisan budget office clearly states that the deficit has been falling every year since Obama was elected President. Rep. Ribble, this is a non-issue, let it go.

I do not expect you to appreciate my message but you should take note that there are many Americans that feel as I do. We would like to stop spinning our wheels and going backwards, but move forward to build America and help all her citizens.

Bruce Inkmann
Waupaca