Urge Emerson to vote no on spending

To the editor:

Prior to Thanksgiving, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson voted to cut services like Medicaid, food stamps and student loan subsidies for working families and to prioritize President Bush's plan to finance tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.

Worse than taking away services are Emerson's efforts to deny the impact of her vote to cut $54 billion in taxes from the federal budget. If there were to be no impact, why would she vote for it? The bill passed 217-215 for the cuts. Emerson's vote was key and made all of the difference.

Emerson represents the four poorest counties in the state. Due to her vote, more of our neighbors in the 8th Congressional District will lose their health insurance, be unable to send their kids to college due to cuts to student loans and go without food due to cuts to food stamps.

I encourage all to contact Emerson at (800) 426-8073 and let her know that her vote to cut $54 billion from the budget does matter and that the voting public will remember it. She has another chance to make a difference within the next few days when she will vote on the spending portion. Ask her to vote no. We implore you not to take from the poor and working-class people to give $56 billion in tax breaks to the richest Americans and corporations. This is morally right.

PAT ALLEN, Kennett, Mo.