LETTERS: BOND'S HEARING WAS STACKED TO GET ONE SIDE

To the editor:

When you stack the deck, you'll be dealt the cards you want. This is how Sen. Kit Bond's "hearing" on federal regulations was set up. Funny that Rep. Bill Emerson knew about it, that Perry Lumber president Petzoldt knew about it and Farm Bureau president Kruse knew about it. And they all heard in plenty of time to rearrange their schedules and organize presentations.

What about the rest of us? We saw an announcement on the morning of the event in the Southeast Missourian. Even those of us who have frequently contacted the senator on regulatory issues weren't notified. With no time for the opponents of the current wave of Republican attacks on health, safety and environmental protection to reorganize their schedules or develop presentations, small wonder the "hearing" was one-sided.

This is exactly how the Congress has rammed through legislation during these 100 days: without meaningful hearings, without meaningful debate. The result: destructive legislation is passed that few understand and many oppose.

Come on, representatives. If you plan to hold a hearing, be open and honest about it. Don't insult us with one-sided, stacked circuses like this.

ALAN JOURNET

Cape Girardeau

Editor's note: A spokesman for Sen. Bond's office said the April 13 in-the-field hearing in Cape Girardeau was conducted in the same manner as if the hearing had been held in Washington, where representatives of "as diverse a group as possible" -- including small business, timber companies, education and agriculture -- would be invited to testify. However, anyone may submit written testimony until April 27 by writing to the Senate Small Business Committee, 428A Russell Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. As for notification to the public of the meeting, the Southeast Missourian received a faxed press release April 11. The story about the hearing, which was based on that hearing, was published April 13, the morning of the hearing. The hearing was held at the Show Me Center, and neither the center nor Southeast Missouri State University publicized the hearing.