An undated file photo of the U.S. Capitol building in...

An undated file photo of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Credit: Getty Images

Regarding ["Rhetoric of gov't impasse heating up," News, Feb. 21], I worked in the accounting profession for over 40 years and was required to meet many deadlines for government compliance. When a deadline approached, no one in my profession would ever think about taking a vacation, a week before that deadline.

Can someone tell me why our elected representatives feel it is appropriate for them to take a week off, with a deadline approaching that could mean our federal government would be forced to close down?

When are they going to get the message that we elected them to get a job done, not to take vacations! I hope the voters remember this in November.

Bill Pearse, North Massapequa


Your call for compromise is well intentioned, but probably unrealistic ["Cutting blindly into the bone," Editorial, Feb. 22]. The freshmen Republicans are determined to "damn the torpedos, full steam ahead," no matter the collateral damage to anything worthwhile. They won't be satisfied until their shortsighted obstructionism hits home and affects a family member, or, perish the thought, themselves.

And why does Congress need a "weeklong Presidents Day recess," while the matters at hand, including the budget, are in limbo? Next there'll be the Easter recess, then the Memorial Day recess then the summer recess, and on and on.

I say Congress should stay in session until all pending legislation is either passed, rejected or whatever other category is left on the agenda. Then, and only then, can they recess.

After all, we are the people who are paying them to work. How many recesses does the average taxpayer get in the course of a year?

Lloyd Booth, East Quogue

Man guilty for burning women … Records: Blakeman took $16,000 pay hike … What's up on LI Credit: Newsday

Family, mourners at wake for slain NYPD cop ... SBU pulls mascot from competition ... Body scanners at NYC subway ... Female jockey

Newsday LogoSUBSCRIBEUnlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 5 months
ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME