Letter to My Senators- sent 7.2.09

My name is ----- -----. I live in Old Town Alexandria Virginia. It has become abundantly clear that my government no longer respects the effect their legislature has and will have on the average American citizen. Right now, I am referencing Waxman-Markley (Cap and Trade) bill which you will soon be, if not already, debating. Let me first say I have lost my confidence in our government a few years ago. I am an Air Force veteran of ten years and am currently employed as a Department of Homeland Security contractor. My hypocrisy lies in the fact that I distrust the very hand that feeds me; I am fully aware of that fact. My distaste stems from far more than this one particular bill though.

That said, I can no longer quietly stand by and watch this egregious attempt to fleece Americans into believing this bill is not just another mandatory tax. Please do not attempt to explain otherwise. While I applaud the enthusiasm our administration is showing for the need to change our views on environmental issues, certainly, this is not the answer. Taxing the people is not and will not be a solution for environmental reform. I understand the nature of the bill. I am fully aware that the tax is directed at the energy corporations. If you, or any legislator for that matter, believe this will not result in increased costs to the customer, you are sadly disillusioned. Furthermore, if you believe these same corporations will not use this bill as an excuse to charge even more than necessary to boost profits above and beyond the tax, you are now in another world entirely.

I believe, we (the regular American citizens), are once again caught in the crossfire between the never ending Republican v. Democrat battle. The outcome of your legislation is no longer for the betterment of the American people but for your respective party. It is that sad nature of American politics. I think every government employee could stand to read President Washington’s farewell speech once in a while just to remind ourselves where we ought to be and where we are not. I also believe this letter will not find its way to your desk, but if it does, it will probably not make a difference. I am neither Republican nor Democrat so you lose nothing from voting for this bill. I also know your salary and can therefore assume another tax (or charge on your energy bill) will not affect you or your family. Let me be totally honest and say that overall, it will not affect me month to month either. But for my brother and his young family it may. For the family down the block with three young children, it may as well. For me, it is the principle of yet another indirect, but mandatory tax, of which I have little or no control.

You on the other hand do have control. I know what I believe, which is you will maintain status quo, vote as your team votes because that is what you all do. I would not have taken the time to write this letter though, if there wasn’t one part of me that hopes you would do what’s right for your people instead.

Vote NO for the Waxman-Markley bill!

Sincerely-

Some Quick Thoughts...

Okay boss man... hows about you pick someone who pays their friggin' taxes, on time dammit. I don't understand the vetting process, or lack there of. You'd think these clowns would realize someone is going to find out they're not paying taxes and out them eventually. Nothing chaps my ass more than a rich politician, in the cogs of the legislature which ensures 33% of my pay disappears every week, not paying their own taxes. F-YOU!

Will someone punch Rush Limbaugh in his fat ass face already. This guy is the epitome of everything I hate about partisan politics. Hows about you shut your fat pie hole and fill it with some oxycontin!

Looks like the the warmongers are at it again. Rummy-esque indeed. Iran now has nukes! Let's go in a start another war! We'll find those damned invisible WMD's yet! Let's hope we pull our head out of our asses and think before we commit our already over-stressed armed forces to yet another war.

But wait... there's more. Gays rejoice!!! Okay, enough rejoicing and go talk to your local Army recruiter... Geez Loueeze!!!

Oh yeah... GO IRISH!!!

Frightful Despotism...

"I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."

-George Washington's Farewell Address- 1796

I would love nothing more to say this was an original thought, but someone else 212 years ago said if first. Until we realize what our system has become, failure becomes more and more inevitable. Arguments for the sake of arguments, stance on party principle rather than public welfare, and perpetual rhetoric from one side to another; these are just a few atrocities we're subjected to on a daily basis.

Dead Mans Party...

At what point do you wake up and realize your government has failed you? What will it take, complete dissolution of our beloved nation, death by war, or just death by taxation? Do you think your chosen representatives are acting in your best interests? Are your best interests consistent with those of only one party or the other? What happens when our system of checks and balances ceases to exist? Are we there yet? We heard for two years about change the next administration will bring. The rhetorical buzzword of the day, change. The problems our nation faces today can be traced back to the eight years prior, and only those eight years...what’s the answer, “change”! Is this what we’re led to believe? Do you believe that?

There is change indeed folks, don’t kid yourselves. From right to left that is. The same garbage partisanship government we’ve grown painfully accustomed to switched sides overnight January 20th. Of course the perennial political buzzword is bipartisanship, better yet the disengaging from bipartisanship rather. Year after year after year, we hear the same spiel from Washington. “We’re going to be friends now so we can better serve you, the bourgeoisie, the poor, the stupid, the gullible, our money tree.” Do you also believe that?

At what point in time do you recognize that our two-party system is not fulfilling the obligations set forth by our constitution. This is not what our Founders envisioned. Our government exists to serve the people at the will of the people.

"In free governments the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns." – Benjamin Franklin -- Seems we’ve gone awry somewhere.