There is so much wrong with this country, I couldn't begin to cover it all with one letter. Why our congressmen and senators can't address the problems is beyond reason. A simple man such as I can find the answers to our problems.

Yes, they are hard answers. But when has that failed to stop the American people? Hitler had a massive war machine; we took him on and won. Japan had a massive war machine of fanatical warriors; we took them on and won. The American people have always bit the bullet, sacrificed and prevailed.

We need to balance the budget. We have to stop spending money we don't have. We need to secure our borders. We have too many tax laws; they have to made simpler. We have too much government; It has to be pared to what is needed.

Our congressmen and senators have made themselves a class above the American people; they need to get down off their pedestals and adhere to every law they pass. They need to stop raiding the Social Security trust fund. They need to stop tacking on earmarks to bills that have nothing to do with the earmarks. They need to read every bill they pass before they vote on it.

Bills of more than 300 words should not be allowed. Every bill they present should have where it is authorized by the Constitution.

If we did these few things, we would be on our way to recovery.

Don't look for it to happen.

Claude T. Cable

Fairview Heights