Reps. Dale Crafts and Jeff Timberlake have no idea what is happening to people, even in their own districts (column, Aug. 11).

There are people hurting throughout the state. There is supposed to be a safety net for people who get laid off or hurt at work, or who get sick or disabled, all through no fault of their own. That is life. Things happen.

As long as it doesn’t happen to them or any family member, Crafts and Timberlake just look the other way.

The public pays for programs through taxes. Even the working poor pay taxes. This is not about Democrats, Republicans, independents, Green Party, etc.; the government is supposed to serve its people.

The guest column printed in the Sun Journal Aug. 11, written by Crafts and Timberlake about reforming welfare, was heartless and shameful. They don’t care. They have no plan. They don’t want to make the government work for people. If they did, they would work with the Democrats.

But Gov. Paul LePage, Crafts, Timberlake and other Republicans have managed to move Maine to the bottom of creation. They have no plan for high tech jobs (or any jobs), while children go to school hungry, single moms try to feed their families, seniors and disabled people go hungry … it is shameful.

In the next election, I hope voters will elect people who will work for them. Crafts and Timberlake are in Augusta for their own self-interest, not for the interests of the people whom they are supposed to represent.

Robert Shaw, Danville