All sides must work together to succeed

Congress and President Obama will be back to work in Washington, D.C., this week. Democrats, Republicans and Independents will have to be realistic and compromise on important legislation for this nation.

Our economy is coming back very slowly. This nation's recovery needs their full attention. To strengthen this recovery and make it last. A recovery with good-paying jobs and with satisfactory health benefits.

The stimulus law has its flaws and problems but it has helped this economy from going into a severe depression. Republicans must accept that and work to improve legislation with Democrats and Independents to secure this recovery for the American people.

On health care, all parties will have to compromise. We must have as an option federal government health care for the American people. Republicans must give in on this point. And Democrats and Independents must work together to bring down health care costs and have private health care industry as an option.

But those with the greatest wealth must pay in taxes to provide health care to the poor, working poor, middle class, disabled, seriously ill, children, young and the aged.

Joey Keeling

Cedar Rapids