Letters

So far, Congressman Nick LaLota has not announced any plans to meet with his constituents at a town hall meeting.

I would urge him to have one soon so that he can explain to us all how his votes in Congress have benefited us citizens. I will even help him out by giving him some of our questions in advance.

First, Congressman, you voted for the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” presented by President Donald Trump. This bill will raise our national debt to unsustainable levels. Not to invest in new roads, bridges and airports. Not to fund medical research or improve our schools. But, instead, to give tax breaks to some of the wealthiest individuals in the history of mankind. (Hint: If you decide to answer, Congressman, don’t mention “trickle-down economics.” We will no longer fall for that one.)

The national minimum wage is $7.50 an hour, or $300 a week. Can you name any place in the United States where a person working 40 hours a week at minimum wage could put a roof over their head and food on their table?

To put it in perspective, you receive a daily meal stipend while traveling that is more than a person earning minimum wage could earn on an eight-hour shift.

The Environmental Protection Agency, under the leadership of your fellow Republican Lee Zeldin, has cut back on the number of lawsuits it files against polluters and is no longer enforcing many regulations that protect our air and water. Which do you believe is more important, Congressman? Our right to clean air and water, or the financial interests of Exxon and other corporate polluters?

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced the withdrawal of $500 million in federal funding for mRNA research. This is the science that allowed us to save millions of lives with the COVID-19 vaccines. Scientists believe that this research could lead to significant breakthroughs in the fight against cancer.

“This move is going to cost lives,” Jerome Adams, President Trump’s former surgeon general, said in a post on social media. Robert Steinbrook, director of the Public Citizen Health Research Group, stated: “The mRNA vaccine platform was essential to rapid vaccine development and deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains essential to preparing for future public health emergencies.” Congressman, will you back legislation to restore these critical research funds?

Oh, one more, Congressman: Can we talk about health care? Specifically the lack of it by many of your constituents?

So, Congressman, how about it? Let’s get together and talk about this stuff. It’ll be fun.

John Neely

Westhampton Beach