To the editor:

Accountability is key to reform.

During the past 25 years, the people’s government has morphed into a government controlled by incumbent, multi-term politicians. These incumbents control most of the powerful committees in our government. Incumbent politicians and the hierarchy from Wall Street view themselves as the “super elites.”

The “super elites” did not allow the big investment banks, GM, AIG, etc., to fail. These mismanaged entities were bailed out with taxpayer dollars. This is nothing more than an insidious tax on the middle class and a subsidy for the rich.

We voters have allowed this to happen, and a new action plan is in order. Each of us should contact our respective members of Congress and hold them accountable.

Any new health care reform bill should include all legal citizens of the United States. Members of Congress should be required to replace their personal “elite policies” with the exact same policy as their constituents. In addition, health care reform should not increase taxes or fees on manufacturers or citizens. Health care reform should be paid for by reducing the size of government and our national debt.

We citizens should demand that all legislation should be for the good of the country, not special interests. Any member of Congress that promotes legislation that is self-serving (“elite” health care policies, retirement benefits, pay raises, etc.) should be defeated at the polls. We voters are only an election away from being able to send new voices to Washington. Priceless.