Reply from Senator Martinez

Dear Ms _______________:

Thank you for letting me know of your thoughts regarding our war efforts in Iraq. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

News of continued violence in Iraq can be discouraging, but it is important to remember what we have achieved in a short period of time. Saddam Hussein is out of power and has been brought to justice. More than 3,920 reconstruction projects have been awarded that are meant to provide the people of Iraq with enhanced security, a more reliable electrical infrastructure, and new health clinics and hospitals. However, much work remains to be done in these important sectors to ensure that the citizens of Iraq are able to experience a stable quality of life on a daily basis.

As you may know, I recently joined former Senator Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) on a congressional delegation to the Middle East, including a visit to Baghdad, Iraq. While in Iraq, I had the opportunity to meet with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and other Iraqi officials. Former Senator Frist and I also spent significant time with members of our armed forces and received multiple briefings from military personnel and government officials. Through these briefings and subsequent visits with our servicemen and women from Florida who are on the ground in Iraq, I have become much better apprised of the situation and challenges facing our troops in that region of the world.

America's enemies want nothing more than to see the U.S. Armed Forces fail or withdraw prematurely from the region. Iraq remains a crucial front in the Global War on Terror. It is vital to our national security and international credibility that we ensure success in this effort.

As you know, the Iraq Study Group recently released their report which includes 79 recommendations that, in their view, will help improve our chances for success in Iraq. I was pleased that the President supported the creation of the Iraq Study Group to review current policy in Iraq. This is just one of several recent studies on the Iraq war that our Commander-in-Chief consulted as he determined what would be the best strategy for success in Iraq. In President Bush's address to the nation regarding our new way forward in Iraq, he clearly outlined the path that our forces will now follow to bring security to Baghdad and help the elected Iraqi government secure their country. I support our President's strategy and believe that it has a reasonable chance to achieve the success we very much need in Iraq. The consequences of even a perceived failure in that part of the world would be catastrophic to the United States.


During his recent testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Dr. Robert Gates, a former member of the Iraq Study Group and current Secretary of Defense, clearly articulated that setting an exact timetable for U.S. withdrawal would only serve our enemies best interests as they would wait till U.S. forces left before throwing the country and the entire region into chaos.

The successful completion of this current war will not be easy and should not be a partisan issue. It is the Iraqis who must step up to secure their own country. American forces can and should assist them, but any lack of commitment on their part will not be tolerated by the American people as long as our troops are in harms way. Much sacrifice will be required of our men and women in uniform for some time to come, and those who fight for you and me deserve nothing less than the full support of the American people and their elected leaders.

It is vital that Congress examine the president’s plan, and I hope that we can pull together – Republicans and Democrats to solve the most intractable and serious problem we face today. This is too important for politics. Please know that I will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the ongoing War on Terror. Further, I will continue to work with my colleagues and with the Administration to see that our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines receive every tool they need and every benefit we can afford during this time of war.

Again, thank you very much for sharing your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional comments or questions. For more information on issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Keifus Writes Again

Keifus does a job thoroughly and competently. He has also written to his other Seantor, Ted Kennedy [letter posted below].

Dear Senator Kennedy:

Dear Senator Kennedy,

In many ways, I am pleased that you are my elected representative. You alone, or nearly so, have had the courage to speak your convictions in a Senate that has been not been effectual enough as a deliberative body. After saying that, you'll perhaps be surprised to know that I voted against you in November. It was a protest vote: although your opponent was the sort of Republican I may have supported in the past, I would have voted against him if I felt he actually had a chance at winning. I was angry that the enemy combatant bill rolled through at the end of last session with only token vocal protest. On the other hand, you threatened the 2003 Medicare bill with an actual filibuster. Though both are important, that frightening intrusion into our civil liberties rated higher on my priority list. Still, I am glad you are representing our state, especially now that you are in the majority.

I am writing because I feel it's my civic responsibility, and one I've forestalled for much too long. I am 34-year-old research scientist with a young family, and, I think, exactly the sort of person who is under-represented in the political process. Although I vote (registered as unenrolled, but courting Democrats), and although I follow politics with some interest, I have little time for telephone polling. I am a member of the blogging community, and converse regularly with many political activists in that arena.

Getting to the point, here are the priorities that this constituent envisions for the upcoming congressional session:

• Avoid a war with Iran at all costs.
  The administration is making similar motions now as it did in the run-up to the Iraq war. Please Mr. Kerry, insist on the congress' unique right to declare war under the Constitution. Do not let this president act to invade another country.
  
  
• Get out of Iraq as soon as possible
  I remain disgusted with the disingenuous talk about timetables or set deadlines. Immunize yourself from these idiotic slurs, please, especially since it's the language of your opposition. Criteria for withdrawal are reasonable. Please take the initiative to define them concretely. (The president hasn't.)
  
  
• Energy independence
  The president's ethanol initiative is foolish, and amounts to little more than a sop to the industrialized farming lobby (which, I am sure you are aware does not reside in Massachusetts). I encourage you to fund research in solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power. Only the first three are carbon-neutral. Coal may work as a stop-gap, but it is damaging to the environment, and contributes to global warming. "Clean coal" still contributes to atmospheric contamination in the form of CO₂, and conversion of carbon to carbonate (the product of scrubbing technology) is not very energy efficient, limited so by the laws of thermodynamics.
  
  Energy independence also means conservation (not an easy sell!) and it also suggests making it more affordable to live closer to places of employment. As it stands today, living in the city means either living beyond one's means or living in crime and disrepair. Although I'm not ideologically disposed to promoting urban welfare, it makes more sense than sponsoring highway development over the years.
  
  Furthermore, I support wind power. In principle, I encourage development of turbines off of Cape Wind (which I know that you oppose). Although the loss of natural beauty to development hurts everywhere, it's difficult to find much sympathy for the people living on the islands. Elsewhere in the state, the people lack the means to fight it, and I support energy efficiency much more than I do suburban sprawl.
  - Hide quoted text -
  
  
• Sponsor more R&D, especially R&D outside of the Department of Defense
  Massachusetts, with possibly the strongest technical university system in the country, is in a special position in this regard. Housing can be an economic pillar only so long as there is space for new homes, or as long as we can afford the commute. Meanwhile, manufacturing continues to decline. One reason the U.S. has been competitive in the twentieth century is that we have fostered entrepreneurialism and because we have a superior secondary education system. New technologies need to incubate in this country and grow into real industries to support future economies--this should be a national priority.
  
  
• Repeal criminal acts against civil liberties
  Although I realize Democrats have been in a minority for the last several years, your priorities have nonetheless been skewed. Medicare legislation, for example, was threatened with a filibuster, but the enemy combatants act rolled through. This is unconscionable. Between this act, the detention of inmates in Guantanamo Bay, the PATRIOT act, and warrantless wiretaps, the congress has abandoned its vigilance under the Bush administration. Now that the Democrats are in a majority, reverse these intrusions now. Please.
  
  
• Universal Health Care
  Health care is something I think about a lot. Although I don't like government planning, a widespread insurance model is nearly the only thing that makes sense. Even if the opponents' view is true, that U.S. medical care is superior, then still the universal insurance model should hold. A possible way to communicate this is to discuss how (1) the public health is best served this way, (2) the risk is shared to the highest degree (which is the entire basis of insurance), and (3) it will reduce administrative costs for insurance users. Reports have shown that Medicare, which includes the population most likely to be sick, is more cost efficient than private plans. Something to consider.

Thank you for your time, Senator. I hope that you represent me well in the new session.

Sincerely,

Replies

Given the choice, I've been checking those little "no reply needed" boxes at each site. I want these people to listen to me, hear what I say, then get to work on it. I don't want them wasting valuable time on replying to me. If they agree with me, that's great. If they don't, they might waste valuable time trying to change my mind.

Anyways, the following have sent automated replies as of:
1-28-2007
Nancy Pelosi
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Robert Casey
Saxby Chambliss
Larry Craig
Russ Feingold
Dianne Feinstein
Lindsey Graham
Judd Gregg
Chuck Hagel
Johnny Isakson
1-29-2007
Frank Lautenberg
1-30-2007
Joe Lieberman
1-31-2007
Mel Martinez [newsletter and reply]
2-1-2007
Bernard Sanders
Arlen Specter
Craig Thomas
2-2-2007
Richard Shelby


I'll let you know if anybody sends a personalized reply.

Letters, letters, letters ... and more letters.

My motive for starting this blog was to incite, coerce, bribe, provoke, or otherwise inspire people to write to Congress on matters of importance. Matters of importance [for me] include war, illegal drugs, universal health care, farm subsidies, and maybe a few other topics.

Friend and fellow blogger Keifus has not only taken me up on that challenge, he has surpassed it. Wow.

He has also graciously consented to my re-posting it here at LWC for others to use as inspiration. It's the letter to Senator Kerry posted below.

I've disabled comments on this blog because I want to use it as a center for taking action. I already spend way too much time frothing at the mouth about politics; I don't need yet another discussion forum to keep up with. If you'd like to discuss Keifus' letter to Senator Kerry, you can find the original at Keifus Writes!: Democracy Inaction

Dear Senator Kerry:

Dear Sen. Kerry,

You will perhaps be pleased to know that I voted for you in your last Senate run, and also in your more recent presidential bid. My condolences on the outcome of the latter. I thought your views on a "Manhattan Project" for alternative energy were wise (though understated), and though I wish you targeted us better, I thought that you were in a unique position in that race to capture us voters who believe in both sound budget policy and individual liberties. Again, my condolences--we're all worse off for your defeat.

I am writing because I feel it's my civic responsibility, and one forestalled for much too long. I am a 34-year-old research scientist with a young family, and, I think, exactly the sort of person who is under-represented in the political process. Although I vote (registered as unenrolled, but courting Democrats), and although I follow politics with some interest, I have little time for telephone polling. Although I am fairly jaded about the process, I am not without hope. I am a member of the blogging community, and converse regularly with many political activists in that arena.

Getting to the point, here are the priorities that this constituent envisions for the upcoming congressional session:

• Avoid a war with Iran at all costs.
  The administration is making similar motions now as it did in the run-up to the Iraq war. Please Mr. Kerry, insist on the congress' unique right to declare war under the Constitution. Do not let this president act to invade another country.
  
  
• Get out of Iraq as soon as possible
  I remain disgusted with the disingenuous talk about timetables or set deadlines. Immunize yourself from these idiotic slurs, please, especially since it's the language of your opposition. Criteria for withdrawal are reasonable. Please take the initiative to define them concretely. (The president hasn't.)
  
  
• Energy independence
  The president's ethanol initiative is foolish, and amounts to little more than a sop to the industrialized farming lobby (which, I am sure you are aware does not reside in Massachusetts). I encourage you to fund research in solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power. Only the first three are carbon-neutral. Coal may work as a stop-gap, but it is damaging to the environment, and contributes to global warming. "Clean coal" still contributes to atmospheric contamination in the form of CO₂, and conversion of carbon to carbonate (the product of scrubbing technology) is not very energy efficient, limited so by the laws of thermodynamics.
  
  Energy independence also means conservation (not an easy sell!) and it also suggests making it more affordable to live closer to places of employment. As it stands today, living in the city means either living beyond one's means or living in crime and disrepair. Although I'm not ideologically disposed to promoting urban welfare, it makes more sense than sponsoring highway development over the years.
  
  
• Sponsor more R&D, especially R&D outside of the Department of Defense
  Massachusetts, with possibly the strongest technical university system in the country, is in a special position in this regard. Housing can be an economic pillar only so long as there is space for new homes, or as long as we can afford the commute. Meanwhile, manufacturing continues to decline. One reason the U.S. has been competitive in the twentieth century is that we have fostered entrepreneurialism and because we have a superior secondary education system. New technologies need to incubate in this country and grow into real industries to support future economies--this should be a national priority.
  
  
• Repeal criminal acts against civil liberties
  Although I realize Democrats have been in a minority for the last several years, your priorities have nonetheless been skewed. Medicare legislation, for example, was threatened with a filibuster, but the enemy combatants act rolled through. This is unconscionable. Between this act, the detention of inmates in Guantanamo Bay, the PATRIOT act, and warrantless wiretaps, the congress has abandoned its vigilance under the Bush administration. Now that the Democrats are in a majority, reverse these intrusions now. Please.
  
  
• Universal Health Care
  Health care is something I think about a lot. Although I don't like government planning, a widespread insurance model is nearly the only thing that makes sense. Even if the opponents' view is true, that U.S. medical care is superior, then still the universal insurance model should hold. A possible way to communicate this is to discuss how (1) the public health is best served this way, (2) the risk is shared to the highest degree (which is the entire basis of insurance), and (3) it will reduce administrative costs for insurance users. Reports have shown that Medicare, which includes the population most likely to be sick, is more cost efficient than private plans. Something to consider.

Thank you for your time, Senator. I hope that you represent me well in the new session.

Sincerely,

Dear Senator:

For more than five years now, this administration has been waging war in my name, with my money, and without my permission.

I am angry. Many of my fellow Americans are angry. We have made cogent and impassioned arguments against this on moral, economic, historical, and political fronts. We have been ignored. We have been dismissed.

I, for one, am finished with arguing why this is wrong and am simply going to state what I want:

• Leave Iraq now.


• Leave Afghanistan now.


• Do not attack Iran.


• Do not attack North Korea.


• Do not attack China.


• Do not attack any other country.

Thank you for listening.


sent to:
01-26-2007
Daniel Akaka D-HI
Lamar Alexander R-TN
Wayne Allard R-CO
Max Baucus D-MT
Evan Bayh D-IN
Robert Bennet R-UT
Joseph Biden D-DE, senator@biden.senate.gov
Jeff Bingaman D-NM, senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov
Christopher Bond R-MO
Barbara Boxer D-CA
01-28-2007
Sherrod Brown D-OH, no e-mail address provided
Sam Brownback R-KS
Jim Bunning R-KY
Richard Burr R-NC
Robert Byrd D-WV
Maria Cantwell D-WA
Benjamin Cardin D-MD
Thomas Carper D-DE
Robert Casey D-PA
Saxby Chambliss R-GA
Hillary Clinton D-NY
Tom Coburn R-OK
Thad Cochran R-MS
Norm Coleman R-MN
Susan Collins R-ME
Kent Conrad D-ND
Bob Corker R-TN, no e-mail provided
John Cornyn R-TX
Larry Craig R-ID
Mike Crapo R-ID
Jim DeMint R-SC
Christoper Dodd D-CT
Elizabeth Dole R-NC
Pete Domimici R-NM
Byron Dorgan D-ND. senator@dorgan.senate.gov
Richard Durbin D-IL
John Ensign R-NV
Mike Enzi R-WY
Russ Feingold D-WI
Dianne Feinstein D-CA
Lindsey Graham R-SC
Chuck Grassley R-IA
Judd Gregg R-NH
Chuck Hagel R-NE
Tom Harkin D-IA [received error message]
Orrin Hatch R-UT
Kay Bailey Hutchison R-TX
James Inhofe R-OK
Daniel Inouye D-HI
Johnny Isakson R-GA
Ted Kennedy D-MA
1-29-2007
John Kerry D-MA
Amy Klobuchar D-MN, senator@klobuchar.senate.gov
Herb Kohl D-WI
Jon Kyl R-AZ
Mary Landrieu D-LA
Frank Lautenberg D-NJ
Patrick Leahy D-VT, senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov
Carl Levin D-MI
Joe Lieberman ID-CT
Blanche Lincoln D-AR
Trent Lott R-MS
Richard Lugar R-IN, senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov
Mel Martinez R-FL
John McCain R-AZ
Claire McCaskill D-MO, mccaskilltransition@mccaskill.senate.gov
Mitch McConnell R-KY
Barbara Mikulski D-MD
Lisa Murkowski R-AK
Patty Murray D-WA
Bill Nelson D-FL
2-1-2007
Benjamin Nelson D-NE
Mark Pryor D-AR
Jack Reed D-RI
Pat Roberts R-KS
John Rockefeller D-WV
Ken Salazar D-CO
Bernard Sanders I-VT
Charles Schumer D-NY
Jeff Sessions R-AL
Richard Shelby R-AL, senator@shelby.senate.gov
Gordon Smith R-OR
Olympia Snowe R-ME
Arlen Specter R-PA
Debbie Stabenow D-MI
Ted Stevens R-AK
John Sununu R-NH
Jon Tester D-MT
Craig Thomas R-WY
John Thune R-SD
David Vitter R-LA
George Voinovich R-OH
John Warner R-VA
Sheldon Whitehouse D-RI, no email provided
Ron Wyden D-OR

The Honorable Jim Webb

Senate Russell Building, C1
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4024
Fax: 202-228-6363
[e-mail form]


Dear Senator Webb:

I've read the transcript of your reply to the State of the Union address.

I too wish to ask: "When comes the end?" for our military involvement in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I would like for the answer to that question to be "Now. We end it now."

I thank you for listening.

The Honorable Barack Obama

713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2854
(202) 228-4260 fax
(202) 228-1404 TDD
[e-mail form]


Dear Senator Obama:

My opinions are hardly expert, but my wishes are heartfelt. I was glad to read that you don't agree with the proposed escalation in Iraq, but I want more. I would like for us to pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan now.

I thank you for listening.

The Honorable Harry Reid

528 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542
Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans:
1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343)
[e-mail form]


Dear Senator Reid:

I was happy to see your remarks, as reported on CNN.com, that you will continue to hold the Presdent accountable for changing course in Iraq.

The course change that I would like to see is for us to leave both Iraq and Afghanistan. Now.

I thank you for listening.

The Honorable Robert Menendez

502 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202.224.4744
202.228.2197 fax
[e-mail form]


Dear Senator Menendez:

I want to thank you for your remarks on the President's State of the Uhion address [assuming that CNN quoted you correctly].

My opinions are far from expert, but all the same, I've embarked on a letter-writing campaign [by e-mail] to every member of Congress, stating my wishes.

I would like for us to leave Iraq. Now.
I would like for us to leave Afghanistan. Now.

I thank you for listening.

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
sf.nancy@mail.house.gov [constituents]
AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov [all others]


Dear Madam Speaker:

For more than five years now, this administration has been waging war in my name, with my money, and without my permission.

I am angry. Many of my fellow Americans are angry. We have made cogent and impassioned arguments against this on moral, economic, historical, and political fronts. We have been ignored. We have been dismissed.

I, for one, am finished with arguing why this is wrong and am simply going to state what I want:

• Leave Iraq now.


• Leave Afghanistan now.


• Do not attack Iran.


• Do not attack North Korea.


• Do not attack China.


• Do not attack any other country.

Thank you for listening.