Editor:

In response to Mr. Cipriano Perez’s letter to the editor, I offer the following: Mr. Perez describes concerned citizens, who have questions for Rep. Hinojosa about possible changes to their health care, as members of a “mob.” I found the definition of a “mob” described this way: (1) “The lowest classes of a community, the populace, or the lowest part of it” (2) “to crowd about, as a mob, and attack or annoy, as, to mob a house or a person.”

I am certain these concerned American citizens, who have legitimate questions for any elected official, are hard-working property owners who pay all their bills, including their taxes, and try to live their lives within the budget their work provides them. These people are business minded and they know when someone is trying to sell them something that won’t work and costs too much. These concerned citizens are exactly aware of the taxes they currently have to pay when they earn money, when they spend money and when they try to save money, and they know when their taxes go up, they will have fewer dollars to spend on the things they want or need.

To describe responsible members of any community as part of a “mob” shows a true lack of understanding of who these people really are. A price has been paid so Americans can find out what they are actually getting from their elected officials and they have the right to ask surgical questions that get to the guts of the health care bill, cap and trade bill or anything else. Responsible people read and understand contracts or documents before they sign their name. Our elected officials need to act responsibly, read and understand any bill before them and then apply some common sense before they vote.

Richard Beasley