To the Editor:

I did not attend the Great Falls Citizens Association Legislative Wrap-Up meeting on March 12 but Suzann Pidgeon’s comments in your paper (‘Me’ vs. ‘Us,’ Great Falls Connection, March 20-26, 2013) singling out Sen. Barbara Favola for her aggressive speaking style surprised me. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss legislative issues. Why would a politician be called out for letting constituents know what she has accomplished, for expressing strong views on legislation that she and members of her party have supported, and for explaining why she has taken positions against the opposing view? It’s well known that the political parties are divided on important key issues like abortion, gun safety and healthcare. These are federal and state legislative, not local issues.

Sen. Favola is strongly pro-choice and supports the Affordable Care Act. And over 85 percent of Americans polled, including gun owners, support universal background checks for gun ownership. Sen. Favola was elected because she is an experienced legislator and a strong advocate for her constituents on these important issues. Ms. Pidgeon may not agree with Sen. Favola, but why criticize a politician for her speaking style when she is doing the job her constituents sent her to Richmond to do? We need more constructive opportunities like the GFCA meeting provided to hear and speak with our local and state legislative officials so that views can be honestly aired. This is what democracy is all about.

Merrily Pierce

McLean