To the editor:

As I was checking the news last week, it was exciting to see the Dow Jones industrial average cross the 13,000 threshold. This is the first time that has happened since the more than 2,000-point drop to 10,655 in the fall. This is an impressive increase of 22 percent.

Clearly, we have a long way to go because having even one person unemployed is not acceptable. However, this and other encouraging news of late is showing that many aspects of our economy are heading in the right direction.

This is in spite of the gridlock and discouraging rhetoric coming out of Washington. We were in a deep hole that took many years to dig and, unfortunately, there just aren’t any quick fixes.

At this critical time when things are moving forward, many politicians seem to be uncovering and/or spinning any bit of bad news to allow them to point fingers and blame in all directions. Your selfish actions are putting the recover at risk and are not helping those you swore to serve.

To be honest, the Democrats and President Obama have been far from perfect. I don’t agree with everything they have said or done … and I don’t ever expect to.

The same can be said of the Republicans and their leadership. Why can’t you folks in Washington understand that you are stronger together than you are separately?

That is a major premise of the founding of the United States.

Our leaders (and I use that term loosely) must get their collective act together — and quickly. It is a time to lead as one strong force … to put party politics and negativity aside for the best of all … to strive for compromise … and to share a united message of recovery and hope with the American people.

Together we must demand better and not accept anything less. Without this, the recovery is tenuous at best.

In the meantime, I will continue to share my thoughts (praise and suggestions) with the Maine delegation. And, in November, I will review their records carefully and vote accordingly for whom I believe is the best leader, regardless of his or her party affiliation.

Many brave men and women have given their “last full measure of devotion” to make this gift possible. For their sacrifice they deserve nothing less than the best.

Glenn Michaels

Brunswick

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