July 14, 2007


TO THE POLITICIANS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

If you don't know me I am your constituency. This is my message.

I feel stressed and anxious that my job might be outsourced or that I might be replaced by someone who is willing to work for a lower wage. I fear I may not be able to support my family. That I and my family may end up living in our car or living in a homeless shelter with others who have suffered a similar fate. I feel unsure about which foods are safe to eat because you've allowed unregulated foods to be placed on the shelves of our markets . I'm afraid I might unknowingly poison my pet, my friend, my companion with tainted pet food. But most of all….I'm afraid you don't care.

I deserve good medical care. I'm willing to pay my share. But if I can't, I expect you to show some compassion. My children's pain hurts just as much as your children's pain. If I have a life threatening illness my life is no less important than yours. I love my mother and father just as deeply and strongly as you and they deserve the same care as yours. I don't want to be ignored and left on the ER floor to die. My human dignity debased by apathy and indifference.

My wallet is not a bottomless pit. I want you to stop treating it that way.

For the good of the country I will entrust with you a part of my wealth, which is my money and my children, the former gained by hard work , the latter nurtured by love and caring. I expect you to respect both and to squander neither. I expect your sacrifice to be no less than mine.

My children's education is as important as yours and their success and happiness is no less important than your children.

I want my privacy back. I want you out of my bank account, I want you out of my e-mails and my computer. My private conversations are PRIVATE. My confidential information is CONFIDENTIAL. I am not a criminal and I am not a person- of- interest stop treating me that way; don't put your basketful of paranoia on my shoulder, that burden belongs to you. In the 19th century Sir Thomas May spoke these words, "Men may be without restraints upon their liberty, they may pass to and fro at their pleasure; but if their steps are tracked by spies and informers, their words noted down for crimination, their associates watched as conspirators—who shall say they are free".

I am border patrol officer. My name is Ramos. I protect our borders from drug smugglers and terrorists. Everyday I put my life on the line. I made a mistake. I shot a drug smuggler in the buttocks. Justice sent me to prison. Justice set the drug smuggler free to contaminate and defile our children. Justice destroyed my career. Justice left my family destitute. Justice left my children without the guidance of a father. Behind the blindfold of Justice there are tears of shame. You know what's right. You can do what's right. You can petition for my commutation or pardon. You did for 'Scooter". Do you value me less?

I am veteran. We have a contract. I agreed to protect my country and if necessary to sacrifice life, limb and sometimes sanity. You agreed to be my advocate. To assure that I get the best possible care , even if I come home body shattered and mind traumatized. I've honored my part. I expect you to validate my sacrifice and service by honoring your part.
(over)
You have treated me with indifference and sometimes arrogance. I am not blind .I see that there are 34,000 lobbyists assaulting 535 congressmen. I can only imagine the implications. I see the regulated writing the regulations. I see the scandal and debasement of your offices.

But here's the deal, I am no longer powerless. I no longer have to wring my hands in hopeless desperation. Here is why!

I will follow the money and vote against it. If you have large amounts of campaign contributions coupled with a small number of contributors I will vote against you and your special interest money. The forecasted amount of money you will spend on campaigns for 2008 is obscene. One billion dollars….get real!

If you and your campaign are not transparent I will vote against you.

If you are an incumbent, no longer will your seniority be a good enough reason to keep you in office. I will put you under the microscope of public scrutiny. If you don't pass the 'smell test', I will vote against you. If you are running for reelection during the presidential race, I will not allow the 'presidential attention' as an opportunity for you to stay beneath the radar of public opinion.


Even if you do not represent my state I will seek to influence the constituency in your state . I can do this by networking on the internet. I am interested in you because on a federal level your choices influence my life. There are in 2008, 31 republican and 12 democrat senatorial seats up for grabs. If you are one of the 33, I will encourage your constituency to follow the money and vote against it.
.

I will no longer vote a straight ticket My vote will be balanced between congress and the president.
If you are running as congressional candidate and you earn my vote as representing party A. I will cast my presidential vote for the candidate who represents party B. I will shun party alliances and cast my vote for what is best for America

In closing let me remind you, the importance of the well being of my children and their health, the security of my job and family, the education of my children their happiness and success is no less important than yours.


This time I will cast my vote for America. I will follow the money and vote against it. I will vote against corruption and special interests.

With Best Regards
Your Constituency


Created by: CHARG: citizens for an honest and responsive government (nonisrm6@comcast.net)