Notes To Washington
10-5-06...Letter to Senator Pete Domenici
Help Bring Democracy Back to the United States This November...VOTE!
Dear Senator Domenici
I understand the legislative process is complex at the very least and sometimes near impossible. I've recently relocated to Taos, NM and registered to vote independently. I'm very concerned about the political, legislative and administrative policies as I see them played out by this Republican majority. I would vote for solid and intelligent leadership regardless of party affiliation. Although my life experiences have made me what most would consider a very progressive person, I'm fairly conservative by nature and upbringing. I have watched closely since this President Bush took office. I've been an avid C-span watcher and I read the Wall Street Journal as well as the NY Times and pay attention to other news outlets around the world like the BBC, London Independent and the Financial Times.
All this being said I have to say that the state of things has reduced me to voting against Republican candidates almost across the board in November. I just don't know what else to do. I can't stand to live with another two or four years of Karl Rove's strategies, gross lack of oversight, backroom partisan shutouts, special interest pork politics, Swift Boat media manipulation, ham-handed civilian leadership of our amazing military, arrogant foreign policy, fear mongering for political gain and a lack of respect for the rights and needs of the majority of this nation's taxpaying population. The Democrats appear to suffer from fewer of the short sighted political failures and have some true leaders in place to lead the important committees that actually produce the final legislation that we have to live with. I'm most interested in giving forward thinking leadership a chance and hope that if the Democrats take the House and Senate that both parties will somehow find a willingness to put the needs of the nation first and foremost and give PEACE as well as change a chance. And if the Republican Party manages to hold onto a majority I still hope for the same. I would very much like to live in a country run by forward thinking elected officials and not by gun lobbies and campaign financing corporate mafias.
I've watched aghast as great American opportunities for change were squandered recklessly and selfishly after 9/11 and when the opportunity for real reform was presented to the House of Representatives during the lobbying scandal upheavals. These are just two, for me, heartbreaking examples. The current uproar over Mr. Foley is yet another example of "winning at all costs" politics as exemplified by the Republican Party. I would like to see both Mr. Hastert and Mr. Boehner removed from House leadership for many reasons, this being the most recent. You are a real leader in our government. You have vast experience and leadership roles in a large number of committees. You know the drill as well or better than most and have a wide sphere of influence in the Capitol. I honestly wonder if you can relate to the frustrations of those of us who feel that democracy has slid out of our reach. Deceit and greed have become so commonplace and well funded that our voices aren't listened to unless we make more noise than those we oppose or outspend them in the media. Our votes don't even count for many of us anymore. Nothing in the political process seems geared toward the voting public anymore when it comes to the really big issues. The outcomes of those issues appear almost entirely predetermined by the entities with the most power and money. Bless the beasts and the children...and the whistle blowers.
The only way to effect change in this country now seems to be by banding together in grass roots citizen groups and trying to outnumber the well funded and highly organized mechanisms of politicians and corporate interests that seem entirely more interested in power, profits and position than in actually solving the nation's problems. I would like to be persuaded that you are part of the solution and not part of the problem but the only means I have right now for being heard is to hold you accountable for the system you've helped create. I will vote to oust the Republican Party from any majority position in American governance and I suggest the same to my friends and family.
I sincerely wish you the best in all endeavors and by no means condemn you as an evil politician. I love New Mexico and am proud to call it home as I'm sure you are. It represents some of the things that are right about America and I know your hand is in that in many ways. Thanks for listening.
Don Conoscenti 10-5-06
I understand the legislative process is complex at the very least and sometimes near impossible. I've recently relocated to Taos, NM and registered to vote independently. I'm very concerned about the political, legislative and administrative policies as I see them played out by this Republican majority. I would vote for solid and intelligent leadership regardless of party affiliation. Although my life experiences have made me what most would consider a very progressive person, I'm fairly conservative by nature and upbringing. I have watched closely since this President Bush took office. I've been an avid C-span watcher and I read the Wall Street Journal as well as the NY Times and pay attention to other news outlets around the world like the BBC, London Independent and the Financial Times.
All this being said I have to say that the state of things has reduced me to voting against Republican candidates almost across the board in November. I just don't know what else to do. I can't stand to live with another two or four years of Karl Rove's strategies, gross lack of oversight, backroom partisan shutouts, special interest pork politics, Swift Boat media manipulation, ham-handed civilian leadership of our amazing military, arrogant foreign policy, fear mongering for political gain and a lack of respect for the rights and needs of the majority of this nation's taxpaying population. The Democrats appear to suffer from fewer of the short sighted political failures and have some true leaders in place to lead the important committees that actually produce the final legislation that we have to live with. I'm most interested in giving forward thinking leadership a chance and hope that if the Democrats take the House and Senate that both parties will somehow find a willingness to put the needs of the nation first and foremost and give PEACE as well as change a chance. And if the Republican Party manages to hold onto a majority I still hope for the same. I would very much like to live in a country run by forward thinking elected officials and not by gun lobbies and campaign financing corporate mafias.
I've watched aghast as great American opportunities for change were squandered recklessly and selfishly after 9/11 and when the opportunity for real reform was presented to the House of Representatives during the lobbying scandal upheavals. These are just two, for me, heartbreaking examples. The current uproar over Mr. Foley is yet another example of "winning at all costs" politics as exemplified by the Republican Party. I would like to see both Mr. Hastert and Mr. Boehner removed from House leadership for many reasons, this being the most recent. You are a real leader in our government. You have vast experience and leadership roles in a large number of committees. You know the drill as well or better than most and have a wide sphere of influence in the Capitol. I honestly wonder if you can relate to the frustrations of those of us who feel that democracy has slid out of our reach. Deceit and greed have become so commonplace and well funded that our voices aren't listened to unless we make more noise than those we oppose or outspend them in the media. Our votes don't even count for many of us anymore. Nothing in the political process seems geared toward the voting public anymore when it comes to the really big issues. The outcomes of those issues appear almost entirely predetermined by the entities with the most power and money. Bless the beasts and the children...and the whistle blowers.
The only way to effect change in this country now seems to be by banding together in grass roots citizen groups and trying to outnumber the well funded and highly organized mechanisms of politicians and corporate interests that seem entirely more interested in power, profits and position than in actually solving the nation's problems. I would like to be persuaded that you are part of the solution and not part of the problem but the only means I have right now for being heard is to hold you accountable for the system you've helped create. I will vote to oust the Republican Party from any majority position in American governance and I suggest the same to my friends and family.
I sincerely wish you the best in all endeavors and by no means condemn you as an evil politician. I love New Mexico and am proud to call it home as I'm sure you are. It represents some of the things that are right about America and I know your hand is in that in many ways. Thanks for listening.
Don Conoscenti 10-5-06