To the Editor,

If you haven't watched the only televised debate that Rep. Cathy McMor- ris Rodgers would partici- pate in with Rich Cowan, I suggest you watch it on the internet: video.ksps.org/ video/2288981922

It is a shame that Rep. McMorris Rodgers was un- willing to do a debate in every one of her counties, as Mr. Cowan requested, in- stead of only two debates in Spokane. If she had debated in Walla Walla, I would have asked her why she signed a pledge of allegiance to Gro- ver Norquist, a pledge that many other Congresspeople who signed it have ended up regretting given its restric- tions. I would also liked to have asked why she voted to double the interest rates for over 7 million student loans, why she voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Act giving women equal pay for equal work and why she voted for a horribly expensive prescrip- tion drug bill that has driven up the cost of Medicare because it failed to provide for negotiated prices with the pharmaceutical companies, something the Veterans Ad- ministration does.

During the debate, Rep. McMorris Rodgers avoided answers to questions like why she didn't vote for the Disclosure Act. Instead she talked about why she favored disclosure, while not admitting why she voted against it. She also avoided answering the question why, as part of the House leadership, she didn't sign a discharge peti- tion to get the farm bill onto the floor for a vote, which seems incongruous since she represents this agricultural district. She made a point of the importance of Social Security and Medicare but she was careful to not disclose that she voted for Ryan's plan that will dramatically change the structure of Medicare.

Watch the PBS KSPS in- ternet debate and experience for yourself how Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers dodges questions and lacks transpar- ency. Listen how her ultimate goal is NOT to keep the cost of government down. We can do better. Cast your vote with me to seek new leadership with Rich Cowan.

Randy Snyder

Walla Walla