Editor:

I hope the United States Treasury will deduct pay from Sen. John Barrasso’s salary from this past week. Should it not, I am sure that the junior senator from Wyoming will be more than willing to reimburse the American public for his inexcusable absence from the Environment and Public Works Committee ("GOP senators boycott climate bill discussion," MSNBC Nov. 3).

Additionally, I would hope that this repayment of funds would be accompanied with an apology and the promise of an honest return to the people’s business. But I will not hold my breath as it seems that Sen. Barrasso resides in a much different world than the rest of us. In the world in which we live, skipping work results in the loss of pay, termination or both. Serious matters require attention, and we are not afforded the opportunity to avoid adversity. But I guess that world is unfamiliar to Sen. Barrasso. It appears that he has grown comfortable in the make-believe world of Washington, D.C.

In Washington, difficult decisions are to be avoided at all cost, and crucial issues are most effectively addressed with an orchestrated walk-out. Sen. Barrasso seems to be much more interested in the "cable television" role of United States senator and less dedicated to the hard work of effective governance.

In a few short years the people of Wyoming will be given the opportunity to evaluate Sen. Barrasso’s "work ethic." Should his effort not improve, I hope the people of Wyoming will show him the door for one last walk-out.

PETE GOSAR, Laramie