Congress has once again sold out to special interests
An open letter to our U.S. Congress:
Where is all the promised transparency? Where is the transparency of the health care bill negotiations, the bailouts, and so many other critical issues? It is an astounding affront to the American people that the Congress is now negotiating our healthcare future in total secrecy behind closed doors, with only paid lobbyists and their pockets full of cash gaining entrance. That is a violation of the promises of your party, the promises of our President, and of the promise of America itself. This current disgrace is just one more clear desecration of your oath to act as a servant of The People. It is layered over decades of corruption, self-interest, sell-outs to special interests, and far too many other examples of clear disdain for the needs and hopes of the common American.
America is in deep trouble. The government, and especially Congress, has abandoned the fundamental ideals upon which this nation was founded. And it is just as obvious that the consequence will be a slow and painful slide towards ruin if this path is not reversed. It is becoming more apparent each day that the only possible route to saving this country must start with removing every member of Congress as soon as possible. To that end, I will be joining the millions of other ignored, frustrated and angry patriots who will work extremely hard during the next election cycles to send you all home. (Where, by the way, you will continue to enjoy the self-awarded health care and pensions and benefit plans that the other three hundred million of us Americans can only dream about, but must fund regardless.)
You all, and the elitist self-serving system you have created, have become as corrupt as the Senators of ancient Rome and, if you are not removed by means of elections, history has demonstrated that The People will ultimately seek other and less peaceful avenues of correction. That would be a tragedy for America, so the only option is to do everything possible to end this destruction of America by vote before The People are forced down another and very unfortunate path. That is exactly what I will work very hard to achieve in the coming months and years. I am joining the steadily growing groundswell of angry Americans who love their country enough to fight for it. I encourage every concerned American to join us in this crucial struggle. America must re-take The Hill!
With deep disappointment in you and the totality of Congress, and with determination to save my country I remain,
Respectfully Disgusted,
Gregg L. Matschke Waterloo
Comments
Gregg Matschke
Wed, Jan 20, 2010 : 3 p.m.
Well put, Mr. Briegel.
David Briegel
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 3:47 p.m.
Gregg, I feel pretty much the same. Until we bring ourselves to identify the true elites, ruling class, war profiteers,etc and those who pervert our Republic/democracy with their money, nothing will change. Money is not free speech no matter how many times Mitch McConnell and the Supreme Court may say so. Bribery is not legal except when the bribed write the laws making it so. The very first post by LouisGR talks about making them "understand that they were elected to represent OUR interests, not the interests of those with the deepest pockets" yet when they go to raise money for their elections they don't go to you and I. How do you think Obama feels about this "sausage making"? I believe he is as appalled as the rest of us. The wealthy rent our govt and keep us arguing over abortion and gay marraige and guns. We are easily distracted lemmings all.
Gregg Matschke
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
Response from the Author: Mr. Briegel, the fact is that I strongly and publicly opposed many decisions made by the previous administration, starting with the Iraq war. Note that I never used the words "Democrat" or "Republican". I did not "blame" Mr. Obama directly. The fact is that ALL of Congress has sold us out with increasing frequency and ever-growing disdain for our needs. Health Care "Reform" is just the latest and most egregious act of all. IIt is high time that we "Retake the Hill". Will we be replacing one set of crooks with another? To some extent, no doubt. But consider this: First, it will take some time for the new crooks to ascend the corruption mountain created by the old crooks. Second, and most importantly, it will have been clearly demonstrated that the American people have simply had enough, and are more than capable of arousing themselves to throw those bums out, too. Our vote is our only weapon, and we had better start using it.
David Briegel
Sun, Jan 17, 2010 : 8:15 p.m.
So, Diagenes, my criminal is worse than your criminal? :>) Jefferson had a few thou in his freezer. Tauzin gets 2 million every single year! Republicans are just worth more? If Clinton had a pair he would have told them it was none of their business instead of lying! So, what do you do in your bedroom? Republicans are always concerned about what others do in their bedrooms. You can't bring yourself to talk about the ruling class, elites, bankers or war profiteers? The Republican party base! Please tell us you don't like bribery and that money does NOT equal free speech. Please
Diagenes
Sun, Jan 17, 2010 : 11:58 a.m.
Mikeyu2, My willingness to accept a government benefit that I have been forced to finance is irrelevent to the article which is that Democrats in Congress and the President have sold out to special interest groups on a major piece of legislation that will affect America for decades. Republicans have been shut out of all negotiations from the start. They did not have the opportunity to sell out which I am sure they would have participated in some of the deal making as well. President Obama campaigned on the platform that he would bring a new way politics was practiced in America and that we will be able to see the process on C span. It not just the contents of the bill that has so many people upset its the process that Congressional leadership embarked on to get their left wing agenda passed. Dave, the list of Democrats convicted of crimes is long as well. Rostenkowski, Wm Jefferson, Bill Clinton, (lying under oath remember?)
David Briegel
Sat, Jan 16, 2010 : 4:53 p.m.
Diagenes, Please agree that money does NOT equal free speech. We have the best govt money can buy. Did you consider those of us who dissented the last 8 yrs patriots. I think not. I was called an "America hatin', terrist luvin' defeatist". The Chamber of Commerce and it's members buy both parties and you are only concerned about unions. Can you even name the criminals that were in charge the previous 8 yrs? The insurance companies wrote this law and will not be harmed in any way just like the drup companies wrote the prescription drug law. Do you even know about Billy Tauzin? Good Republican govt? The ruling class? Do you think the Bush family are members of the ruling class? How about the bankers? The War Profiteers? They aren't just the past, they are very much the present!
Mikey2u
Sat, Jan 16, 2010 : 2:38 p.m.
Diagenes, Are you willing to sign-away your right to Social Security and Medicare? FDR was called a socialist when he passed Social Security. Social Security passed with only 16 Republican Senators voting for it. Lyndon Johnson was accused of a government takeover of health care when he passed Medicare. Just 13 Republican Senators voted in favor of Medicare. Republican politicians fought against Social Security and Medicare and yet millions of elderly republicans enjoy the benefits of these two programs. If you honestly feel that the silent should majority stand up and passionately tell the ruling class what we think of their plans to confiscate more of our wealth and liberty. If youre honestly worried about how Obama and the dems have sold out to special interest. Then I think you and your family should waive any claim to Social Security, Medicare, or Obama-care and demand that all other republicans do he same.
Diagenes
Sat, Jan 16, 2010 : 10:55 a.m.
Mikey2u, it past time that the silent majority stand up and passionately tell the ruling class what we think of their plans to confiscate more of our wealth and liberty. I tought dissent was patriotic. Yesterday was a perfect example of how Obama and the dems have sold out to special interest. The unions did not like being taxed on their health care plans so they went o Washington and told BHO they would not support democratic candidates in 2010 if he did not remove the tax. He then slatuted smartly and called Reid and Pelosi to follow the unions instructions. Its not about health care its about power.
clara
Fri, Jan 15, 2010 : 10:22 p.m.
At what point do we say 'enough'? This is 20 % of our GDP? How is this helping anyone? How is it deficit neutral? Increasing taxes now and then start benefits in 4 years? Great balancing act! President Obama increased discretionary domestic spending for the last half of fiscal year 2009 by 8% and then increased it another 12% for fiscal year 2010. So discretionary domestic spending now stands at $536 billion, up nearly 24% from President Bush's last full year budget in fiscal 2008 of $433.6 billion. That's a huge spending surge. The $102 billion spending increase doesn't even count the $787 billion stimulus package.
Gill
Fri, Jan 15, 2010 : 2:58 p.m.
We are a republic and not a democracy... Parlimentary governments are superior in that almost everyone gets a say in the operation of a country, and not just one controlling faction.
Mikey2u
Fri, Jan 15, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.
We tried transparency but it didnt work. The Town-hall meetings last summer proved that you dont know how to behave in a socially acceptable manner, so weve decided to move-on without you.
Top Cat
Fri, Jan 15, 2010 : 9:49 a.m.
As much as it pains me to agree with Mr. Briegel, his comment "Do you think this same system will be fixed by the next bunch of rascals we elect?" resonates. A first step has to be a change in mindset. We have become a near bankrupt imperial power with an unsustainable and corrupt welfare state. We need to reestablish that we are a constitutional republic governed by the rule of law.
Diagenes
Fri, Jan 15, 2010 : 8:04 a.m.
Gregg, I agree congress has let us down. As far as writting this letter four years ago as Mr. Briegel asks, I would not have written a similar letter four years ago. President Obama promised us transparency. Nancy Pelosi said this would be the most ethical congress in history. The truth is that THIS current adminsitration and congress are making the backroom deals with special interest groups to transfer the nations wealth to thier political allies. ObamaCare is a great example. Exempt the trail lawyers from reform. Carve out special exemptions for key states. Protect interest groups like the AFL-CIO from the tax increases. Some people will say that Bush did worse. Bush is the past. Obama, Reid, and Pelosi is the now. Republicans strayed from thier core ideals in 2006 and were replaced. The replacements were worse. During 2010 we need to interview, with a clear eye, new candidates for leadership positions. Maybe they will put the nation first.
David Briegel
Thu, Jan 14, 2010 : 6:03 p.m.
Gregg, would you have written this letter 4 yrs ago? Do you support the party that believes the Supreme Court ruling that money equals free speech? Do you think this same system will be fixed by the next bunch of rascals we elect? What is your solution besides throwing them out? Just curious?
delete this profile
Thu, Jan 14, 2010 : 4:51 p.m.
Well said. It's time for Congress - both parties- to understand that they were elected to represent OUR interests, not the interests of those with the deepest pockets. People need to stop worrying about John and Kate and see what is really happening to our great country.