Recently I received a colorful brochure from 9th District Representative, Baron Hill. In the brochure, Congressman Hill claims to be working to restore fiscal responsibility in Government. Inside the brochure, there is a huge head line that proclaims that he is fighting to cut goverment spending and balance the budget. This is an insult to the intelligence of his constituents. He has the audacity to claim this after he has voted for Obamacare, Cap and Trade, the stimulus bill and the financial reform bill - all well known pieces of legislation that has caused runaway spending and huge national debts. Then on the back of the brochure there is a statement that the mailing was prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense. Congressman Hill is using our tax monies to proclaim falsehoods. This guy is the epitome of why we need to vote all democrats out of office. They tell their constituents one thing and then vote in another manner.

We have a strong, conservative, Republican candidate in the 9th District to oppose Congressman Hill in November. I, for one, will support Todd Young as much as I can. Baron Hill has got to be fired from office.

Greg Walts

In these days of crises and turmoil, it is hard to find happy middle ground. In the affairs of government, it is no different.

All we see and hear is partisan bias. No matter the situation, nothing is clear and concise. Today’s crises will be the cover-up for the turmoil of tomorrow. It is easy to see why so many do not show concern for the affairs our government.

We have Congress claiming the atrocities of the lowly state assemblies. Yet, these same assemblies seem to be quiet on most issues. They tend to parlay the seemingly monotonous issues for those of more strategic importance.

The matter of these issues may be as simple as a memorial or honor for an individual(s) to that of the assessing for the states’ budget. Yet, the budget is an issue all in its own right.

A perfect example is that of Indiana’s General Assembly undertaking the issue of the national mandated Medicaid issue. There are some members that are reasoning the options of this burdening program for that of a more efficient and less-costly program. Sounds like the accountable and responsible way to take on such reasoning. Not to our hapless Baron “don’t tell me how to run my office” Hill.

Mr. Hill and his staff seem to think Indiana’s budget study in regards to the federal mandated health care was exaggerated. The study showed an estimated cost of $3.6 billion to the state. You would think that our own congressman might find interest in the finances of his constituency. Well, if you thought that way, you were wrong.

The state, in my opinion should assess the probable cost to its highest amount to be prepared. At that cost, we would soon be following in the steps of California, and that is definitely not what we want. Or, is it?

It might be asked of Rep. Hill just what he intends for his constituency? If anyone has this answer, I would love to hear it.

It is definitely time for the career officials to earn their pay. After all, I think there are a lot of people out there that would like to earn their salaries. Am I wrong?

In Indiana alone, we have a large number of citizens that might like to have a raise, or even a mere paycheck. Perhaps, if it is not out of the question, we could actually be represented. Maybe that is asking too much.

In the case of Rep. Hill, “Don’t tell my state legislators how to run their offices!”

— Darrell Dillard, Clarksville

After winning the Republican Primary, what does Rep. Baron Hill call Todd Young?

Newspaper reports said Rep. Hill “essentially called [Young] a carpetbagger.”

One would presume a congratulations would have been in order and a comment on looking forward to a tough campaign, but rather, Rep. Hill, you show arrogance and insult him. The same arrogance you showed when you told your constituents it was your health care meeting.

I have a problem with that. Rep. Hill, you are a life-long resident, but also a life-long politician for the most part. My response to that, no pun intended, you’re "over the Hill."

During the previous election you referred to Mike Sodrel as "millionaire Mike." That tells me you have an issue with success. Isn't that the American Dream? Mike Sodrel spends his own money. You spend everybody else’s. What jobs bill were you working on in the past year?

You weren't. You were voting on health care, cap & trade, and exporting jobs right out of the U.S. Or, should I look at your voting record and come to an obvious conclusion that you have socialist leanings — Cap & Trade, health care?

All one has to do is look at Spain, Portugal or Greece to conclude what a socialist government does to a country — high debt and high unemployment, and now they want the world to bail them out.

One thing your constituents could assume is that you are a resident of Indiana, but your heart is in California. Because whatever Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Waxman of bankrupt California votes on, you’re always on the same side. You are a political Monica Lewinsky for the Democratic party.

— Jim Bass, Floyds Knobs

Baron Hill, “Old Rubber Stamp,” recently sent fliers through the 9th District. The intent was to make the voters of the district aware of his fiscal discipline. Can you believe this?

After voting for bailouts and Obamacare — which will make our country economically poor with trillions of national debt — he must think the 9th District voter is “Dumb and Dumber.”

Voters have a great opportunity — send Mike Sodrel and Dan Coats to Washington this November. We know these men will reflect the desires of their voters and adhere to fiscal conservatism.

Come November, let’s let the Three Stooges and Old Rubber Stamp know the train is coming and you better get off the track. We might then be called, Smart and Smarter, eh?

— Jack Hosbach, Clarksville

I’ve been reading and hearing a lot of negative things about the Democrats. The Republicans are using the health reform against Rep. Baron Hill. The congressman thought long and hard before signing it. Because of that, a lot of people have turned their back on Hill and the Democrats.

To the people who have, shame on you. I want to remind you what Hill stands for. He is for the people of Indiana. He doesn’t just represent the “rich,” he really cares about the people. That’s why the Republicans are using this health care plan against him.

Keep in mind, Sodrel and the Republicans are telling you what you want to hear. Then remember what Hill has done for Indiana.

I can testify what his office has done for me. I am the mother of a soldier, for whom there was a problem after returning from Iraq. The problem was dealt with until it was resolved. The office has helped me and my family many times.

Hill cares a lot about our vets. I do owe a big thank you to Whitney at his office. She is an asset to the office.

Remember, Election Day, May 4, vote Democrat. The Democrats will work for the people. If you don’t vote, then you can’t complain. Everyone is given the right to vote. Have a good voting day.

— Barbara Smith, Charlestown

You recently printed a letter that Rep. Hill should be applauded for his effective leadership over the healthcare bill. I read it in disbelief and frankly was looking for the punch line.

From the onset the majority of Americans were against this bill including Rep. Hills own constituents. There was no bipartianship and to pass this comprehensive bill based on incomplete CBO numbers was wreckless and dangerous. We truly are in danger of losing our AAA bond status.

The healthcare summit was a charade after the election of Scott Brown to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy the Democrats knew they no longer had the votes in the Senate. They knew prior to the healtcare summit they were taking it to reconciliation. This bill was indeed forged behind closed doors and not placed on CSPAN as promised. Insects don't like light either.

The healtchare bill is front-loaded all the freebies land prior to the mid-term election. The taxes for this bill will not kick in until after the mid-term election. As a business owner I will do no hiring until I see the effect of the numerous taxes that will appear within 2 years. You can't add trillions of debt without consquences and I think it is a fair statement that hundreds of thousands of small businesses will freeze hiring. To tell seniors your going to cut medicare by 500 billion dollars add people to the insurance rolls and it isn't going to effect their present healthcare is a lie.

I have a question for Rep. Hill and all incumbents if there was $500,000,000.00 of waste in the medicare program why didn't you address it before? That makes you incompetent.

Jim Bass

We should thank Hill

I think it is important to recognize Rep. Baron Hill's effective leadership among moderate Democrats in Congress and his hard work to ensure a strong measure of fiscal responsibility in the recent healthcare reform legislation. As opposed to Republicans who abandoned their responsibility to represent their constituents in the healthcare negotiations, Rep. Hill pushed hard against those in his own party who advocated for a more bloated government-run system.

Thanks to Baron Hill, we have a government regulated system that maintains the central role of private sector insurers and improves competition and market efficiency, instead of a government-owned system that creates massive bureaucracy and cuts out the private sector altogether. With strong consumer protections, expanded coverage for the poor and those with pre-existing conditions, reduced costs in Medicare that won't reduce benefits, and prospects for greater efficiency and cost reductions in the future, millions of our citizens across the country will benefit from Rep. Hill's efforts.

Frank Z. Riely, Jr., Floyds Knobs

I received a two-page (front and back) 8-inch by 11-inch colored brochure from Congressman Baron Hill that notes it was prepared, published and mailed at taxpayers expense.

It contains more propaganda than I care to read. Im really upset with trying to visualize what the total cost in dollars this document must have cost the 9th District residents at a time when the unemployment rate is at 10 percent.

Congressman Hill, what is the total cost? In the future, save my tax dollar, delete me from your mailing list. Your so-called accomplishments do not impress me.

A good representative would have been getting something done prior to the storm disasters: Louisville did. If Hill really cared about homebuyers, why doesnt he work toward finding ways for homebuyers to finance a home and jobs for them to pay for the home?

Credit card holders only have to read the information being sent out from credit institutions to realize the so-called credit card bill of rights act is also of little help. Give people a job with decent wages, then the credit cards will take care of themselves.

The stimulus package: We already know what that has done nothing. By the way Congressman Hill, why didnt you be more specific and explain where and what 18,000 jobs were created in Southern Indiana, and why didnt you elaborate on the jobs the cap-and-trade bill created in the 9th District that you supported?

We need the jobs here, not overseas. Rep. Hill, if this fabulous health care bill you so generously supported with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid turns out like the majority of the people believes it will, will you still continue to defend it?

I for one hope the 9th District voters truly look back over the bills this administration has implemented and asks themselves, Am I better off now and will I be better off in the future if this type of governing continues to exist?

We need to study every Democrat and Republican now in government on where they stand and if needed, replace them to assure the public interest comes before partisan politics and big dollar lobbyist.

I believe this is the greatest country in the world and when its people suffer enough, we will change its corrupt government.

Claude Simpson, Jeffersonville

HILL: Addressing our economy in the short and long term

We've seen some positive developments this week in terms of getting our economy back on track, both in the short and long term. News that America's economy grew by 5.7% in the last quarter of 2009-the highest rate of growth in six years - is encouraging, but certainly not a sign that we're in the clear. The stories I hear from Southern Indiana residents about their financial struggles is my indicator as to how the economy is doing.

I have been particularly pleased with Congress's and the President's recent focus on addressing our long-term fiscal health. This week marked a major milestone in the progress of Pay-As-You-Go budgeting rules finally becoming law. I know most of my constituents have heard me talk about PAYGO, the importance of restoring it statutorily, and how it has rendered successful in the past, for years now. I have been on the front lines of this issue throughout my congressional tenure. In fact, I have introduced legislation regarding PAYGO six times over the last seven years, either in the form of a standalone bill or as part of a larger budget package. My ardent support for this fiscal reform measure is because PAYGO will require Congress to live within the same budgeting restrictions that hard-working Hoosier families have to every day.

PAYGO is a simple, yet effective, budget reform tool that forces Congress to offset any new or increased spending. And, as I previously mentioned, it works. PAYGO is credited with helping to create the budget surpluses our country experienced in the late 1990s.

Statutory PAYGO was first put in place with bipartisan support by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, and was renewed on a bipartisan basis in 1997. The statute expired in 2002 and was not reauthorized. Without PAYGO, the budget plunged from a surplus of $236 billion in the year 2000 to a deficit of $413 billion in the year 2004. In 2007, Democrats regained the majority in Congress and established PAYGO rules in the House and Senate. However, as rules, PAYGO can and has been waived. That is why I continued pushing for PAYGO to be the law of the land.

I believe we will see PAYGO signed into law in the next few weeks. There has been significant, and justifiable, concern recently about the debt our country is amassing and the threat that poses to our economic and national security. I agree completely and am ready to deliver on your demand to forge a new path toward fiscal discipline.

After Scott Browns Senate victory in Massachusetts, Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN 9th District) said the House should just take up the Senate bill (on healthcare). I havent completely analyzed it myself. But if thats the only option in town, thats what we ought to do, Hill said.

It is painfully clear that Mr. Hill still does not get it. It is up to the Ninth District voters to make sure he hears loud and clear that he has ignored his constituency at the expense of listening only to Nancy Pelosi and the far-left agenda.

Please dont refer to Mr. Hill ever again as a Blue Dog Democrat. He is nothing more than a lap dog for Ms. Pelosi and needs to be voted out of office in November.

Michael K. Bauer, Floyds Knobs

CTown resident unhappy with Hills votes

Dear Congressman Baron Hill,

I believe you could save the taxpayers a lot of money if you would just throw the Constitution in the trash, get rid of the House of Representatives, and Senate, with the exception of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and, of course, the president. They are making all the laws anyway.

That way we could save all your salaries, the salaries of your staffs, the expense of your offices, the expense of all those fact-finding trips, their travel to and from Washington, and the expense of upkeep of the Capitol. Perhaps, we could rent it to the Chinese. They will probably be looking for a large office building soon.

You may be able to see the sarcasm in the above statement. I believe in the Constitution, even if you, as my elected representative, dont.

As I understand that document, you are to represent your constituents, not your leaders. According to the polls, 61 percent of us are against the health care bill. That doesnt seem to affect you in your vote.

You call yourself a Blue Dog Democrat. Your record doesnt support that. I cannot vouch for all bills, but lately you have voted right down the line with Pelosi.

The so-called stimulus bills have failed, I feel, and now I am hearing that the president wants another one. I have always heard that, an idiot is one who keeps doing the same thing and expects a different outcome.

I wish you would take a page from the Democrats hero playbook President Kennedy and reduce taxes to the people that do the hiring, putting people to work.

Tax revenues go up and we will surely need to have more tax money to pay for all the free money you have given out. This has worked every time it has been tried, so we shouldnt get a different result.

Gordon McCall, Charlestown

In case you missed it, Baron Hill has gotten a lot of attention lately.

Baron held two town hall meetings last week.

In the New Albany town hall, he told the audience that he would rather be at the dentist than be spending the evening with them.

In the Bloomington town hall, an IU journalism student questioned Baron about his staff's refusal to let her videotape the town hall meeting for a school project.

Baron's response?

"This is my town hall meeting. I set the rules."

After many in the crowd voiced their disapproval, Baron repeated, "Let me repeat that one more time. This is my town hall meeting, for you. And you're not going to tell me how to run my Congressional office."

Baron has apparently forgotten that Baron is just his first name, and not a title. He also seems to have forgotten that the people elected him to the office that he holds.

Baron went on to say that he banned videotaping because it meant that video of him might end up on YouTube.

A video clip of Baron's exchange with the journalism student is available here on YouTube.

It has (as I type this) received 142,000 views and has gotten national attention on Fox News and elsewhere.

That's a lot of views for any video, but particularly impressive when you consider that only about 200,000 people vote in the average midterm Congressional election here in southern Indiana.

It's been a busy summer for Baron. Last month, he called ObamaCare opponents "political terrorists" in the Washington Post and accused them of wanting to "blow up" town hall meetings. Baron instead blew up at one of his own constituents.

You can view video of Baron's entire Bloomington town hall meeting here. The exchange with the young lady takes place about 18 minutes in. It was recorded by the Bloomington Herald-Times (Baron allowed reporters to tape him, but not journalism students).

Thanks for your time,

Scott Fluhr
Chairman
Harrison County Republican Party

A letter to Congressman Baron Hill, 9th District of the State of Indiana

Congressman Baron Hill,

The first bill you voted "YES" on was the Omnibus bill. The President campaigned that he would not sign a bill loaded with earmarks. The President then signed a bill loaded with earmarks...the excuse he gave was that this bill was last year's business. No earmarks next time.

You then voted "YES" on the Stimulus Bill. Then President stated it would cap unemployment at 8%. It is now 9.6% and rising and is not working.

Congressman you then voted "YES" on the Clean Air and Security Act. A bill cosponsored by Rep. Henry Waxman. Why would you vote on legislation written by Rep. Waxman from California? Last I read the state of California was close to bankruptcy and writing IOUs. I think most of your constituents would agree with me....not a great role model in fiscal responsibility. Cap & Trade will be the largest tax hike in the history of our country. And Congressman, lets be up frontit is not a Jobs Bill! It will cost thousands of jobs. China and India will not agree to a "carbon tax." So, be sure and wave good-bye to tax revenue and jobs leaving the US and going overseas from your Washington, DC office.

What bothers me, Congressman, is that I wrote you an email well over 2 years ago before crude oil spiked at $145 a barrel and told you it had nothing to do with demand but crude oil prices were being driven by speculators, banks and hedge funds. You ignored my email, but instead sent me a generic response about alternative energy (ethanol). Now the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) has admitted that speculation was involved and wasn't just demand driven. Your lack of action and that of Congress has contributed to the severity of this "Great Recession." All that needed to be done would have been to raise the tax on speculators profits or increase the contract margins to make it an unprofitable trade to speculate on oil. Now the bill you just voted "YES" on will have a much worse impact on our economy than a $145 crude oil in the form of taxes and job losses. Hopefully, the Senate will put an end to that nonsense.

Rep. Hill, you just made the national news as being a "Bluedog Democrat", a person that was holding out on Healthcare Reform. That lasted about a week, but I guess the good news is you got that photo opportunity with Speaker Pelosi and surprise, you are now voting "YES" once again. Let me get this straightyou're going to expand coverage and lower cost during a recession? The dictionary refers to that as an "oxymoron." Isn't Speaker Pelosi another one of those brilliant politicians from bankrupt California? You have no idea how much Healthcare Reform is going to cost. Why did the President just meet with the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) behind closed doors, after they showed costs would not go down, but instead skyrocket? The CBO is supposed to be impartial and not influenced by politics.

In closing, this Congress is destroying the value of the US $$$ by continuing to print money and you are on track to bankrupt the United States. This out of control deficit spending during a recession is reckless. I bet you can't tell me how much the FDIC & Treasury have spent in TARP, lending facilities, etc....and I'm sure whatever numbers you give me will be inaccurate in six months...Congressman, the greatest security threat to the Unites States is not nuclear weapons, Al Qaeda, dependence on foreign oil, healthcare costs, but this out of control deficit spending. $1,000,000,000,000 is what a trillion dollars looks like and we are well beyond that figure in the last 6 months.

Regards,

Jim Bass

Time was, Baron Hill was best known for his jump shot and tenacious defense when he was starting at guard in the heartland of basketball mania, the Hoosier state. He was successful in parlaying that notoriety, a good persona and Blue Dog political philosophy into a multi-term stint in the Congress, representing his home district, the 9th.

For about a year, I was on his schedule for a weekly radio interview on my daily show in Indianapolis, and the conversations were pretty even-keeled and we all thought, above-average radio. Then he disappeared. No explanation, just poof, gone. But what was evident in those days was that he was a pretty independent guy, conservative on public spending and possessed of a plain-talk style that fit well in his coal country district. That was then; this is now.

Hill lost his seat 5 years ago to a conservative patriot named Mike Sodrel, a truck driver-turned transportation magnate, but got his seat back the next election (2006). And something happened in the interim. Gone were the old Midwestern values and all that plain talk, replaced with a remarkable and unmistakable ugly streak of wacko liberalism that has resulted in actions by the old point guard that put him closer to Karl Marx than to any Hoosier.

A few months back he got the rush from the Obamaniacs to vote -- first in committee and then on the floor of the House -- for a cap and trade scheme that the Holy One himself has oft promised would bankrupt the coal business and cause utility bills to skyrocket. Yup, Baron Hill shucked his Midwestern values for a fundraiser by Kid President and a ride on Air Force One back to D.C. following the required sellout of his people.

Now he appears to be on the road to supporting socialized medicine, too, babbling out the statist medias talking points and the spew of terrified invective the administration has resorted to in its panic-stricken effort to blunt the rebellion they face all over the country. Only a few days back, he told the Washington Post he would host no town hall meetings unless he could control them and their content. Said he wouldnt permit any of those hated political terrorists who with such temerity insist on speaking out against the Messiah. No really. Thats what he said. Political terrorists.

Well there have been a couple of Baron Shill sightings since the August recess began; one with some friendlies in the Peoples Republic of Bloomington (home of Indiana University -- need I say more?) and there was one closed meeting of the Columbus Rotary Club where no one was permitted in unless invited -- and also a Rotarian. We just happen to have had a patriot in the room, one not from Columbus but a Rotarian nonetheless, who after initially being denied access was admitted upon proof of Rotarian bone fides.

Now Columbus is no hotbed of socialism of any kind, so even with the hand-picked audience strictly limited, his efforts to convince the locals of the horrors of the best health care in the history of mankind were less than enthusiastically received. My Rotary guy reports that Hill repeatedly attempted to gin up a sort of divide between the audience and their health care folks, made several references to our broken healthcare system, demonstrating a good grasp of Obama-speak. He used the Blue Dog moniker at least 16 times by my mans count while extolling the virtues of the most expensive and intrusive assault on human liberty since the Stamp Act.

Fact is that Hill has sold out. Maybe the price was a cabinet post later on or a chance to replace Joe gaff-o-matic Biden on the ticket next time. Maybe it was that ride on the big plane with the Chosen One or the cigarette they shared afterward that rubbed off the last of the old dogs blue luster.

Cant really say, but this much is clear from out here in the cheap seats: These Blue Dogs have lain down with the fleas, the snakes and the other vermin who inhabit the Left, and whatever they may have been once upon a time, all that is left is a bunch of worn out old wind bags no longer capable of fidelity to those they represent or the constitution they swore to uphold and defend. The Baron is off to shoot some hoop in the White House gym with his new best friend, his feckless behavior and the knife in the backs of his constituents lost in the warm afterglow of that big glass of Kool-Aid he so eagerly drank.

Nice shot, Baron Shill, nice shot indeed.

Read more articles like this at HUMAN EVENTS ONLINE! www.humanevents.com

Has anyone besides me noticed that the political environment is getting hot? There are lots of words and names flying around out there that probably have many of us confused. So, I just thought Id help our Floyd County citizens with a few definitions of terms they might not have understood before. Here goes.

Blue Dog: The thought here is that this Democrat is like a dog on a leash who is straining so hard against the direction of his Party that he is literally turning blue at the strain. Of course, one would assume that occasionally, this Democrat would vote against his Party indicating occasional disagreement. He is a Democrat, but as a representative of conservative constituents back home, he just cant vote against the will of those constituents whom he represents. Indiana does not have any of these.

Lap Dog: This type of representative climbs up in the lap of his Partys leader, agrees with and votes for everything that leader recommends, whether or not it represents the will and opinions of his constituents. This dog loves the attention of being close to the leader and wouldnt bite his hand no matter how much the issue hurts those whom he represents. Usually a lap dog thrives on strokes and lots of persuasive petting.

Political Terrorist: Anyone, especially from the opposing Party, who expresses a difference of opinion from the representative. This title has been accompanied by synonymous name calling like angry mob and un-American. Usually, these individuals are accused of striving to blow up the meeting and not try to answer thoughtful questions. The way to effectively handle political terrorists is to not meet with them at all, even if you do represent them.

The Rich: Those whom you expect to pay the bills for everyone else. This group is difficult to define because the level of income they make continues to be adjusted downwardly. Of course, ultimately it will describe anyone who has gained any level of financial independence and they will be expected to carry the load of those who make nothing.

Independence: Formerly the name of a Declaration describing the liberties gained by our nation. Antonym of dependence, the desired future state of all citizens. Current political theory suggests that the more dependent citizens can be made on the government, the easier they will be to control and the more income can be confiscated.

Elderly: Anyone who has worked for any length of time to earn a retirement. One representing the heaviest burden on systems like health care and social security, both to which he or she has contributed, usually for decades. Interestingly enough, this group never gets so independent that they cant be taxed and burdened more, usually on assets that they have already been taxed on for decades.

I know that with terms like these being thrown about frequently by the media and in certain political circles, it is easy for the average American to become confused. I hope these definitions will make it easier for all of us to understand exactly the type of representation we are being presented with in this non-election year. There is probably one more definition, however, that Hoosiers need to be familiar with as we approach 2010 and our next opportunity to affect a change through our votes.

Loser: The term describing Representatives who choose to ignore their constituents when they think we wont remember their actions one year later. One who refuses to meet with those whom he represents. One who thinks he can force his agenda on his constituents, even when they vociferously object to those issues. One who thinks he is safe because he has been elected so many times.

Remember, Election Day is just fifteen months away!

Dave Matthews, Chairman, Floyd County Republican Party

The Howey Political Report states that "Hill spent an hour repeatedly assuring those who were listening that the legislation would not cut Medicare benefits, would not ration health services and would not force euthanasia on sick, older patients." However, he did not offer an explanation nor any details about how this miracle was supposed to take place

Hill accuses others of spreading "myths" about the proposed bill, yet he is the one who is telling tall tales. Mr. Hill and the Democrats CANNOT guarantee to anyone that they will be able to stay under their current insurance coverage under this bill. They cannot guarantee it because they cannot keep businesses from closing their doors after this healthcare bill FORCES them to provide insurance or pay hefty penalties. They cannot guarantee it because they are not telling you that your private insurance premiums will likely increase if there is a public option. They cannot guarantee there will be no rationing of healthcare or that they will not cut Medicare benefits.

The truth is that they don't even know what they will or won't do after they pass this legislation. They just want to jam through a bill as soon as possible and worry about the fall-out later. We can agree that we need reform but this bill is NOT it. Most people are happy with their current coverage. We need to reduce costs by increasing competition, but what we don't need is a public "option" that is a Trojan horse for a single-payer European-style Universal Healthcare system.

Hill says, "Believe the things in this bill that are good." I would like to ask him what good things he is referring to? Could it be that the federal Government will have access to your bank account under this bill? Or that a government panel will decide who gets treatment and who doesn't? Or maybe it is that religious hospitals could be forced to perform abortions?

According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, "U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, D-9th District, used a telephone call with more than 5,100 members of AARP on Monday to try to sell the virtues of the controversial House health care bill." Doesn't sound like a town hall to me. I think the key words here are "used" and "try to sell." I hope you will be on alert. Please tell your friends and family.

This invitation-only conference call was not a town hall at all. It was not democratic. It was not open to the public. It was simply a device to promote Hill's agenda and keep him shielded from folks in the District who disagree. It's as if he is looking at us with his fingers in his hears yelling, "If I can't hear you, then I am not responsible!" You can bet that later on when he votes YES to this bill he will claim there was strong support for it in his district.

One last thing about Mr. Hill. A caller from Floyd County informed me today that they contacted Hill's office yesterday to inquire when the Congressman would be in her area. She was told by a staffer that they knew of no plans for him to be in Floyd County. They were sure surprised to read this morning that Hill will be in New Albany at 1:00pm and 2:30pm today for two PRIVATE meetings. At 1:00pm with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association chapters 381 and 1777 in the New Albany-Floyd County Public Librarys Strassweg Auditorium, 180 W. Spring St. in New Albany and at 2:30 p.m. with local business leaders at the One Southern Indiana offices at 4100 Charlestown Road in New Albany.

Call Baron Hill 1-866-440-1321 or email him via his website www.baronhill.house.gov. Tell him your thoughts on this legislation and what you'd like to see in a bill. Tell him you'd like him to represent you, as a Congressman should, and ask him to hold a series of PUBLIC town hall meetings one in each county.

Thanks for all you are doing!

Sincerely,

Erin Houchin
9th District Chair

The recent article on Baron Hill "getting heat on health care" caught my attention. The article quoted Rep. Hill as saying that with regards to health care reform, "The war's on . . ." and later labeling constituents who vocally disagree with said reform in its nascent state as "political terrorists." Much of the article detailed citizens' frustrations in trying to contact Congressman Hill.

All this talk of "battle" and political dissent reminded me of the actual Battle of Barren Hill. Not well remembered, this skirmish took place outside of Philadelphia in May of 1778. Maj. Gen. Marquis de La Fayette (known political terrorist/patriot) acting under the orders of another well known political terrorist/patriot (Gen. George Washington) led an artful retreat after a reconnaissance mission went wrong. With quick thinking and bravery La Fayette saved the majority of his troops to fight another day. I won't spoil the story by telling who won the war but, suffice it to say, that the hill outside of Philly is today known as Lafayette Hill.

My point is, one man's political terrorist is another man's patriot. So let's not silence anyone's opinion in this important debate. If you are for reform let the folks in Washington hear it. If you're against reform, shout it from the roof tops.

Hopefully someone will listen.

Al Knable, New Albany

Among these are cap and trade, government takeover of the health care system, hidden tax increases, government takeover of private industry and the ever-increasing government debt.

We were told in no uncertain terms that there would be no town hall meetings this August.

Let us all remember this in November 2010.

Kelly Roggenkamp, Georgetown