Voters should give Gallegly's seat to Mary Pallant

Thank you, reporter Sophia Fischer, for reminding voters about Mary Pallant's race for Congress in the Acorn newspapers of Feb. 28 and 29. There's an alternative for change and that real change in Washington begins with real change at home.

Pallant's announcement that she is challenging longtime incumbent Elton Gallegly for the 24th Congressional District sets into motion what promises to be a memorable and important election.

The people have an opportunity to turn away from the policies of George Bush and Elton Gallegly and choose instead a representative in Congress with an independent mind and a clear and consistent message of courage and compassion.

Pallant has the courage of her convictions and is smart enough to make friends in Washington without selling out to corporate lobbyists or becoming a party rubberstamp.

She would be a congresswoman with the needed skills to mend fences in Washington at a time when our country seems paralyzed to act on important issues affecting the American people. The people seem ready for a change.

Pallant will work for change by finding ways to end the Iraqi occupation rather than support a mistake and continue to make excuses for keeping our troops in harm's way. She'll help the country refocus the war on terror and shift our priorities from guns to butter and from the old politics of party loyalty to the new politics, which pins its loyalty to country and conscience. Richard J. Lebeck Thousand Oaks