LAKEWOOD RANCH - The opinions flew Thursday night at town hall meeting put together by Suncoast congressman Vern Buchanan.  He wanted to hear what you think about the big issues facing the country...and he heard a lot.

The crowd was fired up.  Congressman Buchanan is heading back to Washington next week and the residents who came out to the meeting gave him plenty to take back to Washington on issues like the economy, the bailout, and Suncoast jobs.  "I think the economy and jobs are very critical to this area and the state.  I wanted to hear from them," said Buchanan.

Residents nearly filled the auditorium.  In the crowd, a mixture of people; Republicans, Democrats...all there to voice their opinion.  "When is the Congress and the Senate going to say...it's tough for all of us out here, we are all struggling.  When are they going to reduce their expenditures themselves?"

Congressman Vern Buchanan held Thursday's meeting to hear the thoughts of his constituents.  And just about everyone there had something to say.

"We cannot compete with $800 a month workers in Costa Rica and half that in China.  How can we bring jobs into Manatee County at $12 an hour when I can pay a dollar an hour overseas?"

One big topic on the minds of many - and especially on Edna Gingerich's: the bailout.  "I have a business of my own.  I couldn't expect Congress...Washington to bail me out.  I have to go with a plan.  I have to go with a budget...to brainstorm and see what I...and say hey, come bail me out."

The floor was open for everyone, and people took advantage of it.

"I came because I'm concerned about the economy, the banking business, and the potential bailout for the automobile industry," said Charles Palmeri.

"We are the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn't have national healthcare.  That is a sham in this country," said Frank Dellert.

"We want to see what we can do to make sure that our small businesses are going to have opportunities just like the big businesses do," said Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder.

The meeting lasted a little more than an hour, and Congressman Buchanan says he will take the comments he heard to Washington next week.  "We need to come together - Democrats, Republicans...whatever, and do what is right for America.  And that is the sentiment that I feel in this room.  It is a serious time.  There are people that are hurting, and we got to try and make a difference in peoples lives," said Buchanan.

If you have views and opinions you would like Congressman Buchanan to know about, you can write him at http://buchanan.house.gov/contact.shtml.