Political uprising

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, August, 2003 by Cynthia White

As an elected official at the county level (county commissioner) and a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor, I can appreciate Congresswoman Sanchez's diligence to maintain her fitness and nutrition program in spite of her hectic schedule and luncheon meetings ["Women of Strength," May/June 2003]. It takes discipline and dedication with so many demands on one's time. However, I take exception to the framing of her accomplishments. While she may have been instrumental in increasing the allocation of money toward breast cancer research and Head Start issues, she did not accomplish it single-handedly. There is not one person in any elected capacity who is solely responsible for action that takes a vote of an entire elected body. To say that "she added one billion dollars to the U.S. budget for cancer research" does a disservice to the population at large. There is enough misunderstanding and, sadly, ignorance when it comes to how our government works at all levels, including federal, state, county and city. Please don't exacerbate the problem with faulty information.

Cynthia White

Denton County Commissioner, Pct. 1 Denton, Texas