Not A Lot Of Happy Campers Out There

This letter is in response to the feedback from Peter Stathis. I am proud of my decision to back Democrat John Russell over U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, for Congress.

Mr. Stathis, I can already tell you are not a veteran and not qualified to speak for veterans. You say that Brown-Waite has gotten several veterans their benefits. I think that is fine, but she has voted against almost every item that would benefit all veterans and their families.

That's why I said everyone should check out on the Internet themselves. Anything that the president wanted, Brown-Waite rubber stamped to agree with him. I have been fighting for veteran rights since coming back from Vietnam. Brown-Waite is one person who I can honestly say is no champion of veteran causes. She also makes me and other veterans feel used by passing out 35-cent medals in election years to buy our votes.

Also, you said Russell got angry whenever you and a bunch of Brown-Waite supporters booed and heckled him whenever he was ready to speak. He never had his supporters act like a bunch of drunken seventh-graders. Yes, I was at one of those debates. They pull these immature games wherever they go. Again, for those who want to see the Brown-Waite supporters in action, type in Russell and Brown-Waite debate on YouTube.

You ask why I don't contact her personally, if I care so deeply about veterans benefits. I have contacted her office to vote for or against certain bills. Of the six calls on issues I made, she always without fail voted with the president and against veteran causes. That is one good reason not to meet her.

Besides I haven't met V.P. Cheney or President Bush, but with their voting record, why would I want to?

If Brown-Waite actually voted to support the veterans and senior citizens, it may be different. No, Mr. Stathis, Russell is definitely someone we need in Congress. We need people in there who care about the people they represent, and not who will help them when they leave office.

We know what the last eight years has brought us. Believe me, there are not a lot of happy campers out there.

Bill Vahoviak

Spring Hill