Dear Senators Clinton and Obama,

Here are a few items that Eastern Panhandle voters ask you to discuss.

On health care, you both have credible proposals. Tell us how your plans differ, but please do so without saying, “My opponent’s plan will leave people uninsured.” Be Presidential. There are entrepreneurs and self-employed people in the Eastern Panhandle who can’t start or grow businesses because our health care system is broken.

On jobs, don’t say you’ll bring high-paying manufacturing jobs back without telling us how. Maybe you can talk about trade policies and fuel subsidies that ship American timber to Asia where it’s made into furniture and shipped back to us. Instead of talking about the jobs of the past, talk about jobs of the future.

On climate change, you both endorse a “cap-and-trade” scheme. The planet is in deep trouble, and relying on the marketplace to save us is risky. The U.S. EPA says climate change could cripple West Virginia’s tourism industry and lead to more floods. You say you’ll invest billions in alternative energy: Please be specific.

On energy, both of you support development of clean coal. Can you explain how it will be commercially viable without billions of dollars in subsidies? And when? Only about 20,000 people work in West Virginia coal mines—a small part of our workforce. But we all will be affected by coal’s impact on climate change. Al Gore has asked presidential candidates to endorse a moratorium on new coal power plants until clean coal is viable: Will you?

We await your arrival,

whether in person or on the screens in our living rooms.