Editor, Times-Union: In recent years I have found myself intrigued in the political processes and the people involved in those processes. In the past I have heard comments like, “Where did that law come from?” and “Why are there so many regulations?” Well, having followed along with a few of the bills introduced, part of the problem is people not taking care of business or they are not exercising due care in what they are doing, trying to cut corners and in doing so creates a hazard or someone gets hurt. It is brought to the attention of the legislature, now they have the task of deciding what to do. The problem may be in another part of the state and end up affecting the whole state. Now we have legislation to try and keep these few people from doing what they did in the future choking our community with burdensome regulations for those that have businesses and those who are required to enforce the rules. Unlicensed child care facilities come to mind. Somewhere in the state a child is not cared for properly, dies, now something must be done. Even though the problem is not in this area, the legislation will affect the state as a whole because it has to be dealt with on a state level. This is precisely what happened causing legislation to protect children, yet someone misinterprets how it is written, blows the horn and makes statement that are incorrect or misleading at best, then the letters to the editor start and we pay attention to the wrong information. It is imperative that we understand the details and the wording of legislation so we won't waste time criticizing something that isn’t as we thought. Rep. Kubacki has unjustly been accused of taking positions on issues that is out and out deception and untrue. If you take the time to ask her (as I did prior to writing this) you will find that she very much supports marriage as the union of one man and one woman. She felt that it was unnecessary to pull it into the state constitution and draw unnecessary fire to it, knowing that we have a law in our state that is now protecting marriage as one man and one woman. The issue is, does this need to go into the constitution or remain as law? If someone wants to fight our position on marriage I would rather they not go after our c0onstitution. If you go down the line you will find that her positions on issues that have been described in the letter-writing campaign to be untrue or misleading due to a bad source of information. Being involved with the Indiana Builders Association on a state level, I have visited with our legislators at the State House I found them all interested in how we feel about issues and wants to know our position on them. If you want to be more directly involved, the state website is a great place to start. You can actually tune in on live video broadcasts of the Senate, House chambers and several committee rooms along with a schedule of what is happening when they are in secession. Go to http://iga.in.gov/legislative/ Our legislators have their challenges, mainly with people with opinions as varied as the mind can imagine. I wouldn't be surprised that when a person is voted in to a legislative position in our state or federal that it takes one term just to get their feet on the floor and the second term to become more confident and effective in their work. It would also seem that as they leave their home district and enter into the arena of state or federal government they are to make decisions not only for the good of their district but for the whole state or nation, not as simple as first thought. Our legislators need our prayers, support and communications. It is important to let them know your opinions on issues, just take the time to read the legislation, make sure your concerns are valid. If you don't understand something, contact your legislator and get it from the source. Speaker of the House Brian Bosma said of Rep. Kubacki in her first term “that she was one of the best freshman he had ever worked with.” I believe she has a lot to give to her district and our state. Frank Rhoades Pierceton, via email
