It seems that the Democrats and Republicans are courting only members of their own parties. Much like the Hatfields and McCoys they are not able to communicate with anyone outside their respective political families. This incestuous behavior causes members on both sides to appear more concerned about the needs of their individual parties and well-funded special interest groups than with the welfare of the people who elected them.

Having enjoyed a wonderful evening with very liberal friends recently, the conversation concluded with the agreement that we find no representation in Washington. Because of the extreme and damaging positions of both parties I am hearing more and more middle-class Americans talking about term limits for members of Congress. There are reasons that the news media, special interest groups and the members themselves will spend millions to convince us this is a bad idea. That is a topic for another day.

President Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can to do for you but what you can do for your country." That seems to have been forgotten in both houses of Congress and by both major political parties.

Perhaps if they can focus on the needs of the people instead of themselves they will be able to call themselves honorable without insulting those who are.

Jim Brasfield

Florence