Americans should stop listening to political rhetoric and search for the facts, U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson said.

Emerson addressed a crowd of about 35 business people at Tuesday's special meeting of the Scott City Chamber of Commerce.

Other guests included former state Rep. Ollie Amick and former Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes.

Emerson, who is back in Southeast Missouri during a congressional recess, has been talking to constituents in his 26-county district. He answered questions, which ranged from the cost of the Whitewater scandal to Social Security and education reform.

He said the House is probably the only government entity closest to the American people.

And being so close to the voters means that he's aware of public opinion, particularly about the recent changes and issues in Congress.

During the last session there were more changes than during any other session of his 15-year tenure, Emerson said.

Many of those changes came about as part of the Contract with America.

Among the changes, are an amendment to balance the budget. But he said the most pressing issue now is Medicare reform.

Medicare experts estimate that within seven years, the Medicare program will be nonexistent.

Emerson would like to see Medicare reform include a restrained growth of about 40 percent.

"We have to fix it or it will continue to get out of hand," he said, adding that the program is a generational contract.

"Always remember the difference between restrained growth and cuts," he said. "We won't cut, we will restrain the growth."

He said the process of change is often cumbersome and causes some impatience. But he suggests working together to make things better in the political system.

"Be part of the process and make your voice heard," he said.