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.
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- 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,
