By Jane Ryan

I would like to know why we are not considered "good" American patriots by so many conservatives.

I have a traditional marriage of 38 years. My husband and I have raised four children. Two have college degrees, and two more are close to achieving their degrees. My children are good people with fantastic work ethics. We work. Is this not part of the American dream?

We have suffered personal tragedy with the loss of our first child. Numerous setbacks have tested our strength. We endure.

We pay taxes. We all vote. We hunt and own guns. We support freedom for all religions and the choice not to believe. We are pro-born. We care about a child not only in prenatal stages, but for its welfare once it is born.

Education is important to us. We have grandchildren in the public school system. Money taken away from education is selfish and greedy on the part of politicians. It dooms America to poverty and mediocrity.

We believe it is shameful that in America working class people are forced to do without health care or go to free clinics. Health care reform is a good thing. To be shut out due to pre-existing conditions is despicable.

We believe in the civil rights of all Americans and think it is playing with fire to encourage people to take up arms against people of color, gays and those with different political views. Will any Republican feel guilt when another McVeigh kills innocents?

We are children of immigrants, Irish and European, with a granddaughter of Hispanic origins. Prosecute employers for hiring those without green cards, and stop the hate talk against the immigrants.

We believe in tax cuts for the middle class and in the repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy. This country needs to learn the definition of what one wants and what one needs. Greed is rampant.

Manufacturing jobs must be created, or we will become servants to China. We have no problem paying more for shoes or shirts if it means a job for an American worker.

We believe the Republican Party has become the party of no with no answers except they will do anything to help Big Business, insurance companies, companies taking jobs overseas and war profiteers. They seem to thrive on fear tactics without ever helping the middle class.

Name the last Republican president who balanced the budget. (Eisenhower)

We are anti-war and want to know who is receiving all the money being sunk into these wars. We believe those who volunteer to go to war deserve the best money and benefits this country can offer.

British Petroleum should be responsible for the Gulf Coast from now on. BP took shortcuts and now must pay the price. Conservation is critical, and taking care of the environment should be a priority. Animals of all types deserve respect, care and attention.

Alternative energy sources must be utilized, and our dependence on oil that funds the very terrorists the GOP professes to fight must be curtailed.

Someone out there needs to listen to T. Boone and Buffett.

Because we believe in these things, we are labeled as not good Americans like Palin, Beck, Limbaugh and Mayer claim to be.

If they really care, why not come forward with a plan that works with our president rather than always saying no -- no to health care for the victims of Sept. 11, no to a jobs bill, no, no, no. When asked what their plan is, we get some vague response.

So I ask: Why are we such bad people according to most of the GOP?

Jane Ryan is a Campbell, Mo., resident.