Ron Carrier

To the editor,

Congressman Charles Bass is seeking re-election. In New Hampshire he used to be a political moderate. In Washington, D.C., regards to other than some environmental matters, he's generally lacked independence and very consistently supported Bush Administration policies. Great budget deficits and major, unneeded tax cuts for the well-to-do. We'll pay.

He's supported the cause of the above and politically powerful at, too often, the expense of the rest of our people. The Second District needs a new Congressperson who will more genuinely represent the broad, best public interests. New Hampshire can do far better by electing Democrat Paul Hodes. A former lawyer with the New Hamphsire Attorney General's office, he's talking common sense.

Last session of Congress, Bass voted for the flawed Medicare drug insurance plan — "drug industry relief act."

Necessary for some, done right! However, the Republicans practically let the industry write it, as they give them big political bucks. They legally guaranteed their high monopoly pricing. It's been reported that the pharmaceutical industry recently has been "gunning-up" drug prices. Four companies have paid $2 billion in legal settlements because they were pressuring doctors to prescribe more expensive meds.

The V.A. negotiates med discounts. Why not Medicare? What ae Washington, D.C. Republicans doing about it?

Apparently, not very much. We deserve a heck of a lot better. It's time for some much needed Washington, D.C. change for both our people and our country. If not Paul Hodes, Democrat for Congress, then why not?

Ron Carrier

Laconia