Letters: Debt 'supercommittee' let down country

If I went to my boss and told him I couldn't get a job done, I am sure he would find someone who could. I would expect this ("Panel's inability to cut debt deal reflects divide").

• 

  By Mark Wilson, Getty Images

  Capitol : House Speaker John Boehner, right, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

By Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Capitol : House Speaker John Boehner, right, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The 12 senators and representatives on the "supercommittee" should tender their resignations because they have failed this country. Instead, because there are no term limits, they will probably be re-elected.

Thanks for nothing, Congress.

Willson Blake; Savannah, Ga.

Political gain trumps progress

My challenge to both House Speaker John Boehner (" 'I did everything possible' ") and Majority Leader Harry Reid ("Democrats backed balanced plan") is to introduce, as legislation, the parts of the proposals they supposedly supported in the supercommittee negotiating room.

However, they won't because they favor political gain over any benefit for our country. Proof we no longer elect statesmen and women who put the interest of the country over political or special interests.

Larry Nielsen; Benton Harbor, Mich.

Letters to the editor

USA TODAY receives about 300 letters each day. Most arrive via e-mail, but we also receive submissions by postal mail and fax. We publish about 35 letters each week.

We often select comments that respond directly to USA TODAY articles or opinion pieces. Letters that are concise and make one or two good points have the best chance of being selected, as do letters that reflect the vibrant debate around the nation on a particular subject.

We aim to make the letters platform a place where readers, not just writers representing institutions or interest groups, have their say.

Time to Occupy Congress

A good first step in cutting the federal deficit would be to start with Congress itself. Once again, this privileged club of incompetent adolescents has demonstrated it lacks the ability to organize even a one car-funeral or a two team tournament.

Occupy Wall Street activists should focus on Congress. Occupy Congress. Demand term limits. Outlaw lobbyists. End government by bribery. Reduce the salaries and princely perks of everyone in Congress and their staff because they certainly do not earn their current paychecks.

Philip J. Brunskill; Mayville, N.Y.

Elect true leaders to office

The demagoguery and finger-pointing coupled with the very sincere self-righteous indignation expressed by members of Congress from both parties is beyond disheartening.

However, the American people have only themselves to blame for the current situation. We voted these non-leader/non-decision-makers into office. Perhaps it's time to vote them all out, Democrat or Republican. We need real leadership and courage.

Frederick Creamer; Lancaster, Pa.

Problem of partisanship

This failure to act by these committee members is no surprise to most Americans. The members of the committee are not Americans; they are just Democrats (stubborn donkeys) and Republicans (flat-footed elephants).

We shouldn't have expected them to put the best interest of America first!

Joanne Sheppard; Long Beach, Calif.

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com. We've updated the Conversation Guidelines. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation on how to use the "Report Abuse" button. Read more.

Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/News-Opinion/~3/gf4DNuKqX5E/1

al davis edmund fitzgerald vincent brown vincent brown willow smith tom bradley tom bradley