SUDER FOLLOWED ORDERS, BURIED BILL

I read your article about the Stanley prison controversy, "Prison delay
won't save state money," and was struck by the hypocrisy in a quote from
Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbottsford).

"It's a shame that people would try to play political games with this
prison," Suder was quoted as saying.

Well it's a shame that people would try to play politics with people's
health, too, but that is exactly what Suder did when he followed Assembly
Speaker Scott Jensen's orders and buried this session's medical marijuana
bill deep in the Criminal Justice Committee he chairs, refusing to hold
hearings.

Suder's move came despite the findings of a Chamberlain Research
Consultants poll that found over 80% of Wisconsinites support the
legislature passing such a bill.

Anyone who has ever suffered through serious illness like cancer, glaucoma,
arthritis, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, migraines, epilepsy, or
any of the myriad of other illnesses that marijuana has been shown to be an
effective treatment for, or who has seen a loved one, family member, friend
or co-worker suffer without relief would understand that when dealing with
serious illness, all options should be on the table, not all options but one.

But Suder insisted on playing his little political game, and now
Wisconsin's sick, disabled and dying citizens who could benefit from safe
and legal access to medical marijuana will have to wait until next session
and try again. Forcing sick people to choose between risking arrest and
jail to get back a little quality of life, or going without and suffering
needlessly is cruel and un-American. But for Suder, it's all in a days work.

Fortunately, voters in the 69th Assembly District that Suder now represents
have an alternative this November in Larry L. Osegard, running as a
Democrat. If you are tired of politicians playing political games, make
sure you get to the polls November 5 and vote Suder back to private life.

Gary Storck

Madison