Once again, Congress is failing to address the needs of the American people. Members apparently believe that Americans are uninformed and lack intelligence. That could not be further from the truth.

While running for election, congressional hopefuls presented a hopeful picture and were accessible to the voters. Now that elections are over, it is a whole different story. They have their jobs, their houses, benefits and expense accounts, paid for by taxpayers. They appear to have turned their backs on the public.

When someone comes up with an idea that would help this country get back on its feet, Congress has responded with opposition, stone-walling, lack of cooperation, and favoring the few to the detriment of the many.

That is totally unacceptable.

Social Security and Medicare have been dipped into for decades. How is it considered legal to borrow against money that is not theirs to spend? That approach would be the equivalent of a person using his neighbor's house as collateral to purchase a home for himself without the neighbor's permission.

Measures must be taken right now to prevent that practice from continuing, now and in the future.

I am disillusioned by certain Republicans who appear to be acting childishly. They remind me of 2-year-olds who insist that things go their way or not at all.

Congress has an obligation and responsibility to work to improve the lives of Americans while they have the opportunity to do so. That should be done in a fair-minded manner.

Peggy Belkenny, Auburn