As your constituents, we are writing because we think you are a reasonable person. Although we probably differ on many issues, we’re sure we share a common belief in the democratic process.

The government shutdown that the U.S. House of Representatives has allowed to happen is unconscionable. Yes, we blame it on the House. Specifically we blame Speaker Boehner for not standing up to the far-right faction of the Republican Party, and we look to reasonable members of your party to give Speaker Boehner the support he needs to pass a clean Continuing Resolution without any amendments to defund or delay any provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Let’s be clear, this is not about the ACA, it’s about the democratic process. We can debate the benefits and shortcomings of the ACA, but the irrefutable fact is the law was passed by both houses of Congress, signed by a president who was elected on a platform of health care reform and re-elected by a five-million vote margin, and the law was upheld by the Supreme Court. If some members of Congress have problems with the law or parts of it, they should work within the democratic process to improve it, but to allow a small faction of one party, who call themselves patriots, to hold the entire country hostage, because they dislike a law, is blatantly unpatriotic. Next week, the debt ceiling will need to be raised. If the House allows the U.S. to default on its debt obligations, this will have catastrophic effects not only on the U.S., but also the world-wide economy as well.

Congressman Marino, we implore you to put politics aside, and your country first. You were sent to Washington to govern, not to block governance. We strongly urge you stop this shutdown now.

Vincent and Anna Gallo

Bethany, PA