The voters of Massachusetts are an inspiration for the rest of the country that is fed up with machine politics ("Mass. upset leaves health plan in doubt," Jan. 20) Our hats should be off to them today for sending a loud message to the political elite. The message is that we're mad as hell, and we won't take it any more. We don't want socialized medicine. We don't want big government solutions. We don't want out of control spending. We don't want to give terrorists the rights we claim as citizens. We want our elected officials to be accountable to the people, not to the special interests. We want liberty, not tyranny. We want to reclaim the governing principles that made this country the last best hope on earth. We will not become another failed socialist state. In the words of the Bay State's freshly elected senator, "We can do better."

I hold the citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts in the highest esteem this morning. Living in another bastion of liberal machine politics, I have hope that we too can deliver this message in Maryland this coming November. I'm sick and tired of career politicians and their entitlement mentality. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, we're coming for you next. Massachusetts, once again, sounds the clarion call. The people are coming. The people are coming!

Susan Scott, Forest Hill

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