To the editor:

Rep. Eric Carter of Overland Park, who covets the job of Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, complains that she is not “being pro-business enough.” Elect Mr. Carter because he is a real Republican who promises to be more pro-business? Eric, this is about an insurance commissioner! Hello!

An insurance commissioner cannot take sides; he or she must be neutral, impartial and fair. Anyone who has filed a workers compensation claim, or for long-term disability benefits, knows too well how difficult it is to go against a multibillion-dollar insurance company that really doesn’t want to pay benefits if it can find a reason not to.

When I was injured on the job and fighting for benefits against one of the biggest insurance companies in America, I was forced to go to then-Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius as a last resort for assistance. I submitted all my claim history and documentation. A few well-placed phone calls from her office to get the other side of the story and the case settled within a week.

I do not believe Commissioner Sebelius took sides, I believe she asked the right questions and asked for detailed information and explanations of insurance policy and procedures as a commissioner who is fair, unbiased and impartial should.

Elected leaders must provide solutions, not deliberately create more problems. In Washington, big business may pick the leaders, but in Kansas, we pick our own, Mr. Carter, and we tend to pick those who support us, not those who do not.