Dear Editors,

I make reference to your article of Wednesday, June 29th, regarding "Shakergate" and the guilty plea of State Rep. Beth Long.

First we must commend the officials in Boone County for following through with this criminal act and making Rep. Long pay for her misdeed. After all, a thief is a thief ... but a worst thief is a law maker entrusted with law making and the powers of government. It makes me wonder that if she resorts to petty theft in public; what else is she doing in the office that she holds? Rep. Beth Long should resign all posts in the Republican party and from her elected position. She makes mockery of her elevated post and brings shame to the Republican party.

State Sen. Peter Kinder said in a talk show on KZIM this week that he was rather tired of the public looking down on legislators and wants to change that image. I believe that legislators are our leaders and should set the example for us the constituents. If Senator Kinder means what he says; he should then follow through and ask Rep. Beth Long to resign. He should then follow through and enact a bill that if a legislator is caught stealing from the state; it would bring automatic dismissal from the House or Senate without any benefits earned. After all, if a lay person gets caught stealing from his or her employer; this person would get prosecuted and drummed out of the institution without any employer benefits.

Lets move on the bad and keep our state moving in the right direction. It is a good state!

RICHARD AGUILAR

Jackson