Letter of the day: Accountability is the key word in the new legislative session

I would like to congratulate all of the newly elected and returning senators and representatives on a successful election season. Now, however, it is time to get to work, representing your constituents. As they begin the upcoming legislative session, hopefully the economic well-being of our citizens and our state weighs heavy on their minds. Now is a time for accountability. Accountability has been a foreign concept to our political leaders over the past 20 years or so. With that, I wish to remind lawmakers what accountability means to their constituents. • Accountability means they vote on our behalf, not on behalf of special interests. • Accountability means they vote in our best interest, not their political best interest. • Accountability means they understand that Minnesotans' wallets are not bottomless; there is a finite limit to what can be spent. • Accountability means they understand that state government must lead by example by living within its means. If we must downsize, so must government. • Accountability means they understand that just because government has the power to tax, it is not required to increase that tax burden every single year. The tax-and-spend policies of both parties is in large measure responsible for the economic turmoil most of us are experiencing. Taking more now from Minnesotans during these unsure economic times would not only be reprehensible, it would also certainly impede our state's economic recovery. If there is to be a "mantra" for this year's legislative session, let it be "Discretion is the better part of valor." In this case, fiscal discretion is certainly reasonable and attainable. MICHAEL CAVE, MELROSE, MINN.