Day14... Dear Mr. President

Day 14

Dear Mr. President,

Every day in the news, on the web, on the radio and TV… we hear it. Big oil wins again, lobbyists continue to inundate Washington with cash, insurance companies deny life saving procedures to their own policy-holders, drug companies charge big bucks for drugs that cost pennies on the dollar, and the list goes on…

To say I was disappointed in the vote to extend corporate welfare for the oil companies is putting it mildly, but to add insult to injury, three Democrats voted with the Republicans. I know Democrats have a problem with sticking together on anything, and trying to get them to agree is like trying to herd cats… nearly impossible. But somebody need to try to keep them together.

I realize that DINOS Mary Landrieu, Mark Begich, and Ben Nelson all live in oil rich states, but you’d think they would have the guts to buck big oil just once in their pathetic lives. If two Republicans can vote with the Democrats, why can’t the Democrats band together and show their constituents that they have at least a modicum of courage. And just to be fair, I hope you thanked Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe for voting to end taxpayer handouts to big oil. Kudos to two women with some b_ _ ls

It’s no surprise that the vote came down the way it did when you consider the donations that come from the oil companies and go directly into the pockets of Republicans at a significantly larger percentage than Democrats. For instance: Chevron gave over $10 million to candidates, 74% going to Repubs. & 24% going to Dems. Exxon gave over $10 million, 88% to Repubs. & 11% to Dems. Koch Industries gave over $9 million, 88% to Repubs. & 11% to Dems. Enron Corp. gave over $5 million, 70% to Repubs. & 29% to Dems. And BP gave over $5 million, with 69% to Repubs. And 30% to Dems.

Is it any wonder that we’re in the mess we’re in when we let big business buy our elected officials votes, just so they can continue to line their greedy pockets with obscene profits year after year? I hope you understand, Mr. President, that this is why we cannot trust our representatives to actually represent us… because we will never be able to compete with big business when it comes to donations.

This madness must come to an end, and the only way we are going to restore this country to it’s former greatness is to implement strong campaign finance reform, otherwise, we will continue to circle the bowl until we’re entirely flushed down the drain. You need to insist on campaign reforms… now!

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

The Gadfly Granny

Day13... Dear Mr. President

Day 13

Dear Mr. President,

Today I want to talk a little about prison reforms and the high cost of “keeping the public safe.” In California we spend more on prisoners than we do on education… this in of itself is a travesty, but the real crime is that the more we cut education and investing in our children, the more we create the potential for desperate people to commit crimes.

Yes, it’s important to keep violent offenders locked up, but do we need to provide them with sex change operations to keep us safe? Should they be allowed to sue because they aren’t offered “chucky” peanut butter, only creamy? Should we be providing organ transplants when many law-abiding citizens die because they can’t afford a life saving transplant? What do we really owe the members of a civil society who choose to break the law?

It is my belief that when people break the laws that are intended to keep the general population safe, then they leave their “ordinary rights” at the cell door. Of course there are basic rights that we would and should extend to another human being, regardless of their crime. These rights should include the following: As safe an environment and protection as we can reasonably provide, enough decent food to keep them reasonably healthy and free from disease, access to books and other educational materials in order to rehabilitate and educate themselves, a reasonable amount of living space or access to a larger area for the purpose of exercising and staying fit, access to basic health care and medications, and access to law books, and consultations with an attorney in case (and it happens all too often) they have been wrongfully convicted.

If an inmate doesn’t have a high school diploma then they remain incarcerated until they pass the equivalent of a GED. If they have their diploma then they can become the teachers for those who don’t. Once an inmate has completed the equivalent of his or her GED, then they become eligible for college courses or job training provided by other inmates with a higher education or job skills. Some staff would need to be provided to assist and oversee the process. Education and job training are the only ways to deter recidivism.

You will notice my list does not include Cable TV, fully equipped gyms, movies, conjugal visits, basket ball games with their buddies and other social games, and a whole host of other things that law-abiding citizens can’t afford or have access to.

Our children who have broken no laws deserve more of our resources then adults who chose to break our laws. This country needs massive, comprehensive prison reforms and the money we save on that should be spent on children, because if we don’t invest in them now…  they will become the next generation of prisoners.

It’s time to invest in our kids!

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

The Gadfly Granny

Day12... Dear Mr. President

Day 12

Dear Mr. President,

We’ve been inundated with news and information about “Big Oil” and the high cost of gas, and what’s driving the prices up and up.

Some say it’s supply and demand, but the global and U.S. supplies are plentiful and the demand is stable… so that’s not the right answer. Some say it’s the continued unrest in the Mid-East, the death of Bin Laden, etc… and that’s what’s making nervous buyers bid up the prices. But that’s not the right answer either.

It’s all just smoke and mirrors to keep the public from understanding what’s really going on, and to keep them “fear based” so the oil companies can continue to extort our Government for billions of dollars in tax credits and subsidies that NOC’s don’t need.

The real culprit is of course, Wall Street. Roughly 70 percent of contracts for future oil delivery is bought by financial speculators, not by a purchaser that actually intends to use the oil. This type of speculation is driving oil prices through the roof and making instant billionaires on Wall Street, while the American people can hardly afford enough gas to get to work.

We’ve heard a lot about “reigning” in Wall Street by reinstituting regulations to prevent this type of manipulative abuse. So my question to you, Mr. President… when is this going to happen? When are we going to step in, step up, and support the American consumer? This has been going on for far too long, it’s high time our Government started fighting for the middle class, not special interests.

Please take the necessary steps to reign in speculators on Wall Street and end tax breaks and subsidies for “Big Oil”.

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

The Gadfly Granny

Day11... Dear Mr. President

Day 11

Dear Mr. President,

Today is Sunday, and a day when so many people practice their faith or attend the church of their choice. I’m not a fan of organized religion, because I find most, if not all religions lacking in one way or another. But since it’s Sunday, I decided to come clean because I’ve heard that ‘confession is good for the soul.’ Not that I’m worried about my soul, but I do need to confess a small lie I told you last year… well, I think it was a lie… still not sure, but to be on the safe side, I must come clean.

In my first letter I started off by saying “you don’t know me yet”… but, we have in fact, met. I attended a fundraiser for Barbara Boxer at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.  When you finished giving your speech, which, by the way, was very inspiring, you headed off stage in my direction. As I was shaking your hand I told you that my 93 year old Aunt Virginia voted for you in the last election, and it was the first time she had ever voted for a Democrat. You graciously thanked me and told me to thank my Aunt and to give her your best.

At the time I thought that she had indeed voted for you because I had been working on her for some time, and she didn’t like McCain or Sarah Palin. Long story short… the next time I went for a visit, and armed with lots of photos, I told my Aunt what I said to you, and your reply. She said, “Oh you devil you.” I asked her, “Well you did vote for Obama, didn’t you?” She just laughed, but never did answer my question.

Last year my dear Aunt passed away, and I must confess that I can’t say with any degree of certainty, that she did in fact vote for you in “08. So there you have it… my conscious is clear… I’m sorry I didn’t clear that up at the beginning of my letters to you, but the slate is clean now… I can move on.

Since it is Sunday, and I know you are a man of faith, I ask that you search your conscious about the men and women still serving in two wars, and not only pray for them, but take the steps necessary to bring them home to their families. It’s time. As my Aunt would say… “Don’t put things off, there is no time like the present to do what has to be done.”

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

The Gadfly Granny

Day10... Dear Mr. President

Day 10

Dear Mr. President,

Today is Saturday, a sad day, but a happy one as well. We will be driving 3 hours to Santa Cruz, CA to say goodbye to my brother Charlie. Sad because we know this is the final time we will get together for him, but happy because we will be celebrating the life of a wonderful, loving and caring man. I mention the 3 hours because with the price of gas these days, being retired and on a fixed income, we are much more mindful of where we go and just how much we need to spend on gas.

Unfortunately, several people that were very close to Charlie, and even some family members will not be able to attend because of the cost of gas. I just heard from a friend of Charlie’s  that lives about 10 hours away, but was planning to come regardless of the costs. But, as so often happens, circumstances beyond his control will prevent him from attending. He lost his beloved dog last week and that cost $800, his plumbing has backed up, so he will need to get a plumber… and who knows what that will cost. He too is on a fixed income.

The point is… ordinary people are stretched so thin, and have sacrificed so much already, that when even one thing goes wrong and they are forced to pay for the unanticipated expenses that always seem to crop up at the wrong time… then they are unable to do the things they want desperately to do… like attend a memorial service for a loved one.

This is just one more example of the daily struggles, and decisions ordinary people must make just to keep their heads above water. There are millions of stories across the country playing out every day, just like this one.

But, I’ll tell you who doesn’t worry about these kinds of things… the 11 million households that make between 1 and 30 million dollars every year. I won’t even count the billionaires. Using my rough calculations… that leaves over 300 million people that struggle every single day of their lives. Of those 300 million, 44 million live in poverty, so for them it isn’t even about struggle… it’s about survival.

Is this the America we want? Is this how America takes care of it’s people? Do the rich really need more tax breaks? The answer to that Mr. President is a resounding “NO” from 72% of Americans. So no more being “Mr. Nice Guy”… it’s time everyone pays their fair share, it’s time to tell the GOP we’re not going to cut anymore from ordinary citizens, it’s time for the “rich” to pay their share as well.

There is a small part of me that is happy that Charlie is gone… his struggles are over, he doesn’t have to worry about a job, or not being able to take care of Kari, or being able to pay his rent, or if he’ll need to go to the emergency room for health care because he’s uninsured. We’ll all miss Charlie, but we’re happy that his struggles have come to an end.

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

The Gadfly Granny

Day 9... Dear Mr. President

Day 9

Dear Mr. President

Some of the things I discuss are very trivial compared to the problems you have to deal with on a daily basis… quite frankly I don’t know how you do it, but I’m very grateful that you do.

On day 2 I told you about my brother Charlie passing away from the stress of not being able to find a job in the last year and a half.

Today I want to tell you about a remarkable member of Congress, Sam Farr. Sam is the Congressman for the 17^th District, a district that covers Santa Cruz, CA. On April 18, Congressman Farr sent a letter to Charlie’s partner Kari… here’s what it said.

Dear Kari:

My profound sympathies go out to you upon the loss of your partner, Charles Stuart Fields. He will be remembered by the love of family and friends.

The death of a loved one is always difficult, in part because we rarely have the time to properly prepare ourselves for their departure. I understand your grief because I, too, have lost many close to me, including my father, mother and youngest sister. I hope your fond memories and the support of our local community can in some way ease your loss.

Additionally, please extend my condolences to the rest of your family. If there is anything that my wife, Shary, or I may do to be of help to you, I hope you will not hesitate to let me know.

Sincerely,

SAM FARR

Member of Congress

I have never heard of a Congressperson sending such a letter. Kari was shocked and mystified at how Congressman Farr learned of her loss. I can also tell you, Kari was unbelievably grateful for his thoughtfulness, and the fact that he offered not only his help, but that of his wife Shary, too.

Unfortunately I live in the 3^rd district and my Congressman is Dan Lungren, one of the more unpleasant, disingenuous, and condescending members. I can’t even imagine him doing anything so kind and generous. I sincerely hope Dr. Ami Bara kicks his behind in the next election.

The point is Mr. President… the people are hurting, they desperately need jobs, health care, mortgage relief, etc… etc… but this wonderful, kind, thoughtful gesture from Congressman Farr says volumes about his character. Even if it’s just something that he has his staff do, and he just signs the letters, it’s still remarkably kind, and we need more Congress people like him.

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

The Gadfly Granny

P.S. I told Kari to ask Congressman Farr to find her a job… I hope she does.

Day 8... Dear Mr. President

Day 8

Dear Mr. President,

Yesterday I came down pretty hard on you regarding the lack of “Shared Sacrifice” by the rich, Wall Street, Banks, and large corporations making obscene profits while paying little or no taxes.

Today I want to talk about one of the things you did to stimulate the economy that has worked. The first one that comes to mind is the auto industry bailout. So may people (well let’s be honest… the GOP) lamented that “Government” didn’t know anything about the auto industry, and while that’s true… Government did know that letting the auto industry fail would have meant disaster to several states in the Midwest, devastating their economies even further, and causing untold hardship on thousands of working families.

I know General Motors has paid back the bailout funds with interest, and managed to turn a profit of over $3 Billion dollars by producing “fuel efficient” cars.

So my question today is… why don’t we hear more about the successes like GM? Why do we only hear from the GOP about the failures? The GOP says that big government is not to be trusted, that big government inhibits the success of the private sector. I say… tell that to the auto workers that still have their jobs because you had the guts to bail their industry out.

My suggestion, Mr. President, is that you need to do a better job of “getting the word out” about what has worked, because if all the people hear, is the noise from the GOP, then that’s what the people will believe. Don’t let their rhetoric go unchallenged. 

This is just one small example of what “The Government” has done for average working Americans… you need to tell the rest of the story, and you can start with Medicare… a “fabulous” program… not perfect, but dog-gone good.

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

The Gadfly Granny