In response to "Lawmakers propose medicine restrictions" (SN 2/1), I think that many of the lawmakers in this country have lost touch with reality. My father is a retired pharmacist, the pharmacists are already overworked with all of the prescriptions that they have to fill and monitor. Now, some politicians want to take medication that the Food and Drug Administration has deemed to be safe for the general public to buy off the shelf and put them back behind the counter. Well, the last time I checked, people don't get sick between normal business hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

If I want to drive my car, I have to wear my seat belt. If I want to drive my motorcycle, I have to wear a helmet. Hmm. So now if I need cough/cold medication, I'll have to schedule being sick around the local pharmacist's work hours.

It almost seems like politicians these days are law happy. I mean, hey, none of us citizens can think for ourselves, and we have to be led around by our leashes just like our dogs.

Come on, Mr. and Ms. Politician, get a grip. There may be a problem with illegal drugs like crystal meth, but taking away the convenience of over-the-counter cold medicine because of the possibility that some drug maker will buy it up is the wrong action.

The drug makers will just find a way to get what they need from another source. Why are you trying to punish me and other law-abiding citizens?

Eric Birmingham
food science junior