SHUTDOWN: Heed a veteran's words

Here is what I’d tell Idaho’s U.S. Representatives Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson and Senators Mike Crapo and James Risch:

I served in the U.S. military longer than you have been a congressman, and I have thus earned the right to exercise my citizenship by speaking out. As a mature adult, I find the thinking and scheming behind the current and possible future budget gridlock to be childish. I find that holding citizens fiscal hostages in repeated attempts to kill an Act which has been found to be the law of the land by the U.S. Supreme Court is beneath reasoning adults.

Further, to cause immediate death benefits of military members killed in action to be suspended because of congressional infighting is particularly repugnant. I believe that it’s time for you and your political cohorts to leave the playground and do what you were elected and are paid to do: Keep our nation and its citizens solvent.

LAWRENCE McBRIDE

Lieutenant Commander,

U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Troy