While thousands of workers lost their jobs and had their retirement benefits stripped, Congress sat by and did nothing -- except the Democrats held hearings trying to discredit the Bush administration, and the Republicans crawled into bed with the pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, and the banking industry.

Our economy failed and thousands of people of paid the price. Yet members of Congress have ensured that their pay and benefits are secure. I thought our Congressional leaders were our employees and we were the employers. What business out there allows employees to set their pay and benefits?

Well it's time the American people took back control of their government and assume the role of employers. Every elected legislative and congressional member who have served more than two terms needs to be sent home and replaced with people who will listen to their constituents.

Since we are the employers, we should also have the right to demand a reduction or elimination of their retirement benefits, too. Don't listen to their excuse of, "Send me back because I have seniority that will help." Yeah, their seniority only helps them. If we send the same people back, then we have no right to complain.

•John Pool, Alpine