An Open Letter To Congress

Ladies and Gentlemen of our Legislature:

We watched with interest as you responded to the financial crisis on Wall Street. Saw how you came together swiftly and worked as a team to help your friends in that industry. And while there are serious issues with how the money is being handled, still you acted.

We now watch with nausea as you seem intent on derailing any attempts to solve the greatest national crisis since the Depression. Instead of unifying for the common good you play partisan games. You negotiate your struggle for power. Plot to block the voice of “the enemy” at every turn. Waggle your fingers at everyone but yourselves for causing and not ending this terrible recession. It would be appropriate if each of you, Republican, Democrat, junior, senior, leader, rank and file, were to wear togas and play fiddles. You do the Washington Two-step while we, the people, are losing our homes and jobs at alarming rates. Normal Americans can’t afford to put food on the table or take their children to the doctor, but corporations are making record profits, stealing tax dollars for bonuses, hiding assets, and you sit in your hallowed halls with your backs squarely turned against the very people you were elected to represent.

The Whole point is…. You’ll do it for your “buddies” but not your country. That’s sick and VERY Un-American.

We realize it may be too much to ask you to give up your love affair with lobbies and corporate interests. Heaven forbid we should expect you to stop the influence peddling, pandering and wallet padding. And we mustn’t even think of hoping that each of you will obey the law and take responsibility for your actions and hollow promises. But just this once, when we really need you most, couldn’t you take a few minutes of your precious time and work together for the sake of the people?

It’s time to fish or cut bait. Take down the party pennants. Put down the microphones and swords. Belly up to the discussion bar, lock the door and don’t come out until you can shake hands and act in our interest for a change. If you don’t the problems will only get worse and we can’t afford that. And stop blaming the president we just elected for everything. America wants change. We made that clear with our votes. If you get with the program, that change will come. If not, there will be no one to blame but yourselves.

And keep in mind, your jobs are at risk, too. We, the people, are watching. What you do now will determine how we vote. Over the next several elections there may end up being no incumbents left in Washington. Unless you’re content with that prospect, choose right now to do your job. Put aside your petty squabbles and party differences. Leave the egos at the door. Take a stand for our sake, for the sake of your country. It’s the right, and necessary, thing to do.

A Concerned Citizen