Why I'm Calling Congress Tomorrow

[H2O Man]

I watched President Obama speak tonight. And I will definitely be making those phone calls tomorrow.

President Obama certainly has a gift for making public presentations. So it comes as no surprise that he was able to frame his position well tonight. It would be easy to ignore the substance of presentation, for one of two reasons: because one strongly supports him, or because one has lost faith in him. (I find the current Speaker of the House to be an obnoxious, untrustworthy carp, for example, and hence rarely listen carefully to anything he says. Tonight was simply another display of his lacking the moral capacity to tell the truth.)

I'm reminded of an issue that has been brought up several times in recent meetings I've attended, including the Q&A in some where I have spoken. A number of good people have expressed frustration – not so much directed as the rotting decay of the republican politicians and their corporate masters, but at people that they had believed shared their values and concerns, but appeared to be betraying them. And, to be honest, no doubt were betraying these values and concerns.

In the 1990s, when working as a community organizer in a rural, upstate New York hamlet with two grass roots groups seeking a clean-up of a 120-acre, 60-foot deep, defense industry's toxic waste dump site, I was among many who hoped that an EPA engineer would help people. She was, on paper, in charge of deciding on who was responsible, how the site would be cleaned, and who would pay. Within a month of dealing with her – both at public meetings and on the telephone – it became clear that she could easily tell bold-faced lies, and that she was advocating for the industry and against the residents of the hamlet.

I could easily have viewed her as “the enemy.” In fact, after I took a leading attorney from Pace University's Legal Clinic and an engineer from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (along with dozens of local residents and members of both television and print media) on a tour of the site, she definitely viewed me as her enemy. She called me late at night at home, and threatened to have Mark, Karen, and I arrested for “trespassing.” I encouraged her to do so, as I enjoy street theater. Plus we could use the publicity.

But, I pointed out, we had permission from the landowners. I didn't think the police would arrest us. Was I so stupid, she asked, not to recognize that I placed all of our health at risk by touring the site? I said that I doubted that it was more dangerous to take a two hour walk around the site, than to live there for twenty years. Our relationship went downhill from there.

In the next 18 months, I'd come to know more about her. She had gone to college, with a strong sense of wanting to learn how to protect the environment. But as she gained experience as an employee at the EPA, she learned that she had to compromise her values. To be promoted, she had to learn to put what her supervisors told her to do before what she knew was right. Corporate interests became more important than human interests.

I never thought of her as “the enemy.” There were lots of times when I knew she was part of “the opposition.” But that is distinct. For while I wish that everyone in the EPA (or any/every other government agency) would stick to their values, and stand up for what they know is right, it just doesn't happen that way, as a rule. In fact, the rule is that those who do are usually ejected from the system; and those who stick around are not promoted to positions of power.

She was highly intelligent, very capable, but not strong enough to always have the courage of her convictions. So, there were many times when she was among the opposition. Yet there came to be a few times when she was helpful to us. And so there were times we helped her.

When I call various members of the House and Senate tomorrow, I will not be advocating for a compromise between Democrats and the rabid Tea Party republicans. I will be saying to protect Social Security. To end the “tax breaks” to the obscenely wealthy. To end the immoral wars of aggression. And I will be fully aware of who in Washington, DC is a friend; who is the opposition; and who is the enemy.

I hope that you will be calling, too. Thank you.

Peace,
H2O Man

[theophilus]

1. Me, too. n/t

[H2O Man]

2. Very good.

Everyone on here -- including those who dislike the President -- should be calling DC.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Yes, I will. :) n/t

[H2O Man]

5. Thank you!

You are, as always, one of the sane voices on this forum.

[Bluerthanblue]

4. I'll be calling mine again as well.

They need to hear from us, especially when we don't share similar perspectives. And for me, since the 2010 elections, only one of mine ever does.

thanks.

k&r

[H2O Man]

8. "again"

That is such a perfect response -- calling again!

Once is good. Certainly better than not calling. But we should all be frequent callers.

Thank you!

[dana_b]

6. this:

"When I call various members of the House and Senate tomorrow, I will not be advocating for a compromise between Democrats and the rabid Tea Party republicans. I will be saying to protect Social Security. To end the “tax breaks” to the obscenely wealthy. To end the immoral wars of aggression. And I will be fully aware of who in Washington, DC is a friend; who is the opposition; and who is the enemy."

:thumbsup:

[H2O Man]

10. Thank you.

Those are important distinctions, I have found.

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. When I rec'd you, it went from 8 to 18

Love it.

Excellent message. Thank you.

[H2O Man]

11. Thanks!

I think that calling DC is something that most people here will agree is an important thing to do. We might have some variations in the messages we deliver. But they are all important.

[spanone]

9. k&r...

[H2O Man]

15. Thank you.

I am hoping that we can keep the lines tied up.

[riderinthestorm]

12. I'll be making calls too. But I went one better and actually went to meet my rep!

Here's my account...

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1482555

Hope all is well in your world.

[H2O Man]

16. Very good!

Thank you for that!




(Things are going quite well here. I hope all is well with you & yours!)

[mmonk]

13. Me too.

An opportunity to express my views and intentions should not pass by and others too should express themselves.

[H2O Man]

17. Right.

It is an opportunity to express our views very clearly. And they need to hear the range of views from all Democrats. And from the Democratic Left that isn't registered in our party, as well.

I'm sure that you & I will be comparing notes tomorrow!

[LongTomH]

14. I'm going to talk to my Rep in person at noon tomorrow

My US House Congressperson is Rep. Emanuel Cleaver: 101 W. 31st, KCMO 64108. Any DUers in the KC area are welcome to join me.

[H2O Man]

26. Perfect!

That is the best option. Thank you!

[EFerrari]

18. I'm in. I will not call for a compromise but to protect our social programs

and to end the welfare program we run for the wealthiest 1%.

Thanks, H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

27. Thank you!

That is the exact message that I am going to be communicating to the elected representatives in DC today.

[abelenkpe]

19. I'll be making similar calls n emails. Nt

[lamp_shade]

20. Bravo, H20 Man. K&R

[PufPuf23]

21. I will call and ask for expansion of SS, Medicare. Medicaid.

IMO SS and Medicare should be for 55 and older and there should be cheap care clinics (such as Indian Health Service clinics or VA).

Taxes on income, capital gains, and inheritance should be progressive and rolled back to at least first term Clinton.

I would go for a first year Defence/Security reduction of 20% but a 5% increase in Peace Corp, foreign and domestic, federal jobs.

Imagine what good could be done in community infrastructure (by agencies like WPA, CCC, or CETA) by redeploying 75% of Homeland Security.

POTUS Obama is bright and has a nice image and personality but unfortunately I doubt his integrity (and I was a strong supporter, my unease started with his appointments alas, too neo-liberal).

There should be a transaction charge on securities, full re-establishment of Glass-Steagal, and derivative ("synthetic") securities banned beyond 2nd order as there is no rational means of valuation and they are used for arbitrage (and unjustly bailed out by the taxpayers.

Hey I'm a dreamer and recall better.

Enjoy your writing.

[Major Hogwash]

22. Both of my Reps (R) are Tea Party converts. Both of my Senators (R) are Tea Party Sympatico Repubs

So, I won't be calling them because they have cotton stuffed in their ears!!

We have 7 days before the default deadline, and the Republicans are willing to let the country default on the debts it owes!

DURING A WAR!!!

NOT JUST 1 WAR, BUT 2 WARS!!!!

IN TWO COUNTRIES, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN!!!


I can understand how some dumb people might think that is no big deal, especially stupid braindead Republicans.
But to the men and women serving overseas fighting in those wars, they have to be wondering WHAT THE FUCK is wrong with the Republican party!!!!

When I was in the military and was stationed overseas, Congress NEVER threatened to withhold my paycheck!
I had kids to raise, and a house to pay for, and a wife to keep those kids fed, clothed, and going to school!!

This is the most un-American shit I have ever seen in my entire fucking life!!!!!
I'm not kidding.
I've seen some fucked up jazz in my days in the military, but this fucking shit takes the fucking cake, and ALL the fucking candles!!!!


I'M PISSED OFF!
AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!


This is the most un-American shit I have ever seen ever before from Congress!
This is totally unacceptable.
Totally!!!

[H2O Man]

24. If you could list

their names, I will call them. Probably others here would, too.

I don't want them to say that "everyone who called supports" their radical, dangerous position.

[JDPriestly]

38. Call Republicans in any case. It's more important than calling Democrats.

[Major Hogwash]

40. If you want to waste your time, go ahead, but don't advocate that I waste mine.

I'm from Idaho, and out here the "R" behind their names on the ballot means they are retarded. That's their seal of approval out here.
They have to be retarded just enough to get elected.
In the last 40 years, they've lived up to it.

Senator Mike Crapo is one of the Senators of the Gang of Six.
His best friend was former Senator Larry Craig.
They used to hang out in restrooms together when Craig was still a Senator.
You think you've got a snowball's chance in hell of changing his mind?
You don't, so disabuse yourself of that notion right now.

Senator Risch is a former Republican state legislator, Lieutenant Governor and temporary Governor, who spent 30 years learning his craft as a home-styled neo-Nazi that demanded "marching in lockstep" with the GOP party over 25 years ago while he was the Senate Pro Tem here in Idaho.
He was a Nazi before the GOP party thought it was cool to be a Nazi.
You think you're going to make any sense to him?
You think you can reason with someone like him?
You don't have a prayer.

Representative Mike Simpson is a Tea Party sympathizer, who switched from being a fairly common, ordinary moderate 6 years ago to a foaming-at-the-mouth, full bloodied neo-con. He supported everything Bush did or ever thought of doing.
He opposed everything Obama ever tried to do.
He has spent the last 12 years in the House blocking any progressive programs whatsoever.
His life's goal is to kill the EPA.
His longevity has given him some seniority, so he is at the helm of the committees to cut budgets for clean air and clean water.
Good luck swaying his opinion.
He's a dedicated GOP Mormon who believes only the GOP party members will be raptured someday.

Last, but not least, Representative Raul Labrador. The Barking Dog candidate that the Tea Party backed last year to get a Blue Dawg Democrat out of that representative's seat in Congress. Lies before he thinks of talking. Lies in his sleep.
Lies in his dreams. Lies every single day of his life.
His whole life is one big lie.
No one has ever been a bigger liar in Congress from Idaho than Labrador, and that's saying something!!
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't get a pathological liar like Labrador to ever tell the truth about the budget.
A professional liar all of his adult life, they scraped the bottom of the barrel to get him to run for office.

[JDPriestly]

42. Your post is downright scary.

Why don't you move to California? You sound like a sane person. You don't deserve to have to live in that insane asylum with all those crazies.

Or is it just so quiet and peaceful and beautiful that you've learned to put up with the crazies?

Why don't you contact Senators Feinstein and Boxer in California. Feinstein especially could use a nudge from you.

[CountAllVotes]

23. K&R!!

Thank you!!

:kick: & recommend!!

[PA Democrat]

25. Recommended. I'll be making those calls as well.

In fact, I've made numerous calls already, even to the disgusting Republicans. I will call again and again and again, if needed.

My message is that the American public supports tax increases on the very wealthy and want an end to many of the tax loopholes and subsidies that the most profitable corporations use to skirt their responsibility to be good corporate citizens. I said that the people do NOT support cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and view cuts to those programs as immoral and un-American. I also say we need to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan and reduce military spending and also add that we need to negotiate drug prices for Medicare Part D.

[JDPriestly]

39. Good message. Agreed PA Democrat.

[SpiralHawk]

28. Me 2

fer sure, fer America

[Bluenorthwest]

29. I"ve been calling them for two weeks. I say advocate strongly

and specifically. I am not sure 'protect Social Security' is specific enough, they say they want to cut it to preserve it, and all of that. Use language specifically. Concentrate on the message for the people, not on the kid gloves to be used for politicians. Just speak your mind, and your heart.

[bertman]

30. I find it very difficult to consider someone who frames the issues in the enemy's terms to be

simply the opposition.

All the emphasis on 'working together' for a solution with Bonehead and needing to cut the deficit is just a bunch of Bullshit. We can cut the deficit by repealing the tax cuts for the WEALTHIEST Americans and by ending these two obscene wars. What did we get--one sentence about the wars and one reference to raising taxes on the rich. The rest was about trying to 'get along' with Republicans who want to turn the wealth of this nation COMPLETELY over to Wall Street.

What about some major GOVERNMENT programs to clean up the environment, insulate homes, make our lives more energy efficient?

These ideas get ZERO attention or promotion from President Obama.

This "issue" is the direct result of the President allowing the Tea Party types dictate the dialogue.

I'm done with Kum ba ya.

[H2O Man]

34. I hear you.

I have no problem with what you are saying.

In my life, I have found that identifying people in the groups I listed works well. But I understand that my way doesn't work for everyone .... and maybe not that many others.

An example: in recent months, I've been concerned about the position that someone I have known for a couple of decades had taken on hydro-fracking in NYS. As he is a nationally known environmental attorney, his position upset a lot of people .... to the extent that it was creating divides in the informal alliance of environmental advocacy groups.

I could have considered him either an enemy, or the opposition. I opted for the opposition. While my approach to him was but one of many, many messages to communicate dissatisfaction, it was focused on our being allies in the past, and currently opponents. I wasn't going to burn bridges, even if the bridge was currently unstable. He has since reversed his position. His current stance is far from perfect, but it is a good start.

A number of my current associates view this fellow as weak, shallow, and unreliable. I surely appreciate their feeling that way. I'm not trying to tell others that only my way is "right," or that their way is "wrong." But I think there may be some benefit in my explaining why I take the approach I do.

[bertman]

35. I honor your approach, H20 Man, but it is no longer in me to travel that path.

[flamingdem]

31. Support the President and call your reps today! Otherwise prepare to lose big nt

[Fire1]

32. K&R

[cmd]

33. Phone calls have been made

and the lines appeared to be very busy.

[Citizen Worker]

36. Why would anyone advocate for cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and think they've won

something, anything. We have met the enemy and he is us.

[JDPriestly]

37. I didn't like the speech, but I have been calling and even visiting

my Congressman. My Congressman is very progressive (more so than Obama, I think), and I support him strongly.

[avaistheone1]

41. The only calls I am making to tell the President to keep his hands off of Social

Security and Medicare and the same calls are being made to my reps.