Editor:

Wednesday, during the pancake breakfast I had the privilege of talking with Democrat candidate for U.S. House Gary Trauner. He had just finished talking with another citizen of our fine state when I walked up. I asked if I could talk with him for a few moments, and he said he would be happy to.

So, I asked him why he was running. He told me that he was running because of the fact he has lived in Wyoming for 20 years, is a business man and he wants a better country for his children.

Now, that in and of itself was as he put it "in a nutshell" so, I decided to get to get to the meat of these issues. Three examples of what I asked were: What is your position on our southern border while in office? What is your stance on taxes? And most importantly, what is your stance on the war in Iraq?

Before I started to ask questions he was ready to talk and tell me about how he is a family man. That is all fine and good, but I want to talk about the issues. I have questions and I want them answered. As soon as I asked questions though, he clammed up.

He started to hem and haw and suggested I look at his Web site, and he said how he had done forums with Cynthia Lummis and the other Republican candidates over this, so I should check those out, too.

These answers and others proved to me that I don't want him to be my representative in Washington, D.C., If he is unwilling to talk with a 14-year-old about his stance on issues that are vital in this day and age of our country, will he truly represent us?

Or will he go and push his own agenda leaving Wyomingites like you and I in the dust? Will he listen to you when you ask him to vote a certain way or will he vote with the Washington liberal establishment and not give a darn what you think?

As a future voter I am willing to talk to all the candidates. But if he is unwilling to talk to me, then he doesn't give me the impression of a man who is willing to talk to the next generation of Wyoming citizens, or even listen to Wyoming citizens. I encourage people to think about what I just said in this short letter.

JAMES HEATH, Burns