Tweeting furiously about the unjust state of things is not only fun, but it's also a positive way to get things off our collective chest (sorry GOP, I know how you feel about the term 'collective'). I should know, as I am quite a furious tweeter. But preaching to the choir is only so satisfying, so I wrote my representative in Congress.
I happen to live in the 29th Congressional district of New York State, and my representative is a Republican named Tom. Tom has reportedly accepted extravagant vacations and other kushy gifts from big corporations. I know... this is nothing new. But I wanted to tell him as straight forward and succinctly as possible with a short e-mail (we know about their attention span don't we?) outlining a few things that stick in my proverbial craw, and many others' craw as well, including many of the craws of my 3,765 Twitter followers.
Here it is:
To Representative Tom Reed of the 29th Congressional District
Dear Tom,
I just wanted to drop a line to give you some insight into what's on the minds of many of us who you are alleged to represent:
* We really wish you guys wouldn't favor big corporations over the people. Oh don't try to deny it -- you used to be able to get away with quite a lot, but we peasants now have the best information source in history.
* The fact that we have a healthcare system based on for-profit insurance companies is lunacy, and the main reason why the costs are out of control. Even "Obama-Care's" architect Liz Fowler is a big-time corporate health insurance insider from Wellpoint, and now, after writing corporate favors into law, is off to Johnson & Johnson. This is not the only example of the greasy corporate revolving door of Washington to say the least. The founders would be quite dumbfounded.
* All this fiscal "cliff/slope" nonsense could easily be solved by imposing a Wall Street financial transaction tax (Tobin tax). After all, there is ten's of TRILLIONS of dollars in derivatives trading alone! Our deficit could also be diminished by ceasing to tax gambling speculators & hedge fund managers at a lower rate than the rate that those who do the real work in our country pay. And what's worse? We apparently are now responsible for these gangster-banks' bad bets. When they are are guilty of fraud, bid rigging and naked short-sells of financial products (which is becoming the norm) to extract more wealth from the country, jail 'em. Don't impose a relatively tiny little fine that they regard as merely the cost of doing business. Ya know, common sense things.
* We should assuredly cut this huge surveillance apparatus that does nothing but infringe our rights and dignity, all in the name of 'terrorism,' which kills less people than bed-sheets. We know what it's about; a perpetual war that greases the palms of corrupt 'Defense' contractors, and keeps the populace in fear indefinitely, thus more easily manipulated.
* None of you seemed to notice that there's been a melting polar cap, record fires, heatwaves, and storms. Remember Sandy? Do you really think this will all magically resolve itself? Are you gambling that technology will solve it just in time? I wouldn't take those odds. You should take the billions shelled out in corporate welfare checks to big oil and use it to develop a renewable energy future. Germany showed us how, but that's probably out of the question because big business has to remain the status quo -- I guess that's why you conservatives don't sufficiently embrace change(or facts for that matter). Regardless, you should all stop drilling our children's future into the shale. It's not very nice at all.
Suffice to say that empire takes a terrible toll on those in it, especially when it declines. It doesn't have to, of course, but you guys must know these things. Don't you? I mean, all of you have been formally educated and we assume your capable critical thinking. You must have taken history classes, you know that old maxim; "Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it?" But then maybe the appeal of short-term gain has completely short-circuited your long-term cognitive abilities.
I would like to close with a warning:
History shows that the people will only take so much until they start taking heads. So dig your bunkers deep.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Merrill, Citizen
Really encouraging to find I am not alone in using the power of the pen to add my voice to those who champion change. Strongly believe it is the duty of us all to ensure our politicians are made aware that we can not continue to endure the consequences of corporate greed. I applaud you for doing your bit.
ReplyDeletehttp://lifeafterdebts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/fifth-century-teacher-buddhist-monk-and.html
I get it -- our representatives cater to x y z. I know the drill.
ReplyDeleteTell you what, if you were in their place, you would do much as they do. They are motivated by power prestige, and normal self serving things, since they are 1) human, and 2) mostly men. That's how men are, that's how you are.
MOst Congressmen are terrified of losing office --they dig it. Great pay, great perks, great attention. Their spouse loves it. Their children love it -- don't believe that nonsense about they don't. It's their claim to fame. And most Congressmen exit office wealthy, their wives or children or lovers get really good paying easy jobs. They get their asses kissed.
That's not bad, that's how it is.
They are motivated to KEEP that going. Why wouldnt they? If they take the "high road" or are "politically brave" they are also politically dead -- retired, beaten in primary or election. You might not understand how much they'd hate that. Unless they have enough time to be a lobbyist for big pay, they will go home with their tale between their legs, a "loser" in their wife's eye, their children's eye. Not good.
There might be some who would be "politically brave" but guess what? They are soon gone, replaced by a guy who takes advantage of it, and he sure as hello won't be politically brave.
So get your Congressmen the right motivation. Get him the votes and support to do the right thing, WITHOUT losing his power prestige and gravy train fun existence. YOu can't expect people to work against their own immediate self interest. You don't.