It really is time for the American people to wake up and speak up! Our forefathers must be rolling over in their graves. The things going on in Washington are absolutely appalling. It’s an embarrassment to all the great men and women who built this country, let alone to our servicemen and servicewomen who are putting their lives on hold and in harm’s way every single day.

All politicians should be ashamed of themselves. It’s time for Congress to stop playing this political game and do the job they were hired to do. I will say that maybe President Obama has not done everything right, but would any of you critics want his job? He is a decent man who truly cares about the American people.

Whether you want to hear it again or not, he was handed a mess when he took office. He did not create the mess, I’ll say it: Bush/Cheney Republican politics did it.

Republicans in the House of Representatives need to stop stomping their feet like spoiled children, agree to raise taxes for the wealthiest Americans and move forward. Why shouldn’t the people who make the most money pay a little more than middle America? Especially if it means the continuing fiscal health of this country. If I was one of those wealthier Americans, I would pay more. Fair is fair.

Republicans, tea partiers, etc., do not have middle America’s best interest at heart. If they did, they would have already come to an agreement. John Boehner, Paul Rine, John McCain — the list is far too long. They should all be ashamed of themselves.

Also, where did the respect go? Whether they agree with the president or not, he is the president of the United States, and that title alone demands respect!

Lisa Michaud

Vassalboro