Thank you for saying, "Many American People," instead of, "THE American People," this time.
I apologize for slacking on the letter writing and will catch up soon. Meanwhile, I will just share this video of you using the new phrase and say that I pretty much agree with everything Rachel Maddow ever says. In this case, IRAQ would not be the word I visualize flashing over your head, but I'm sure more people would see that word than the one I'm thinking.
Hope to finish busting the union busters and convince a few corporations to pay some taxes soon so we can catch up. (Please don't be offended that I have given up on you and joined the Many Americans who are taking matters into our own hands. I'd really like to see this done in my lifetime.)
The language is confusing, but I'm sure it was planned that way. We all have a right to work, want a right to work, so you think people will be fooled when you attach the words "right to work" to your attempts to interrupt the rights that workers wish to have.
Not nice.
For those who feel as though they've been diving in Rand Paul's infamous toilet if they accidentally click on a FOX page, here's the gist of the story.
A group of conservative U.S. senators has introduced a bill to restrict unions from forcing workers to join and pay dues as a condition of employment.
In one of his most embarrassing moments yet (for those of us who have to admit that he is our Senator), Rand Paul discusses his great distress over toilet problems and says he has been waiting decades to discuss this problem. Apparently, he has to flush ten times and he blames the government. I think he should be more concerned with his diet. I think he probably admitted to the world that he suffers the same problem that afflicted John Wayne and Elvis, and as a physician he should have realized what he was saying.
In the spirit of compromise, however, I'm willing to ask the government to stay out of the senator's toilet as soon as he asks them to stay out of my uterus AND comes clean about the thugs he hired to stomp heads at the debate.
I called and asked if they've hired extra security and the manager said they've taken "necessary security precautions." So I confirmed, "Then, you do realize that Rand Paul travels with dangerous head-stompers and you're prepared to protect your customers from him?" He said yes.
No one should trust my word on matters as important as public safety. The number is (502) 327-0410 if anyone else wants to confirm.
In case you missed Rachel Maddow’s show last night, I bring a clip of the segment that should excite the two of you. The American people have spoken. You will no longer have to guess what we are saying (and, consequently, misspeak for us). The results might surprise you but I will include a dot-point list of things you have been getting wrong that you can carry with you while you clear up the misconceptions people probably have as a result of your misspeaking for us.
* 81% of The American people polled are in favor of taxing millionaires more
* 68% want to let the Bush tax breaks expire
* 74% think we should cut the special breaks to oil/gas companies
* 77% Americans strongly oppose efforts to strip unionized government workers of their rights to collectively bargain
I believe, by Republican standards where you claim a mandate if you barely eek out a stolen or Supreme Court victory, and pretend you are ruling the country when people who were fed up with President Obama’s catering to your blackmailing and obstructing stay home and give you a majority in one of three branches, these are overwhelmingly, overwhelming stats that you can’t possibly ignore.
What will probably surprise you more than these poll results will be the demographics of the people polled. 36% of the participants identified themselves as conservatives and only 24% as liberals. That should make clearing up those misconceptions easier.
"If we truly want to get our deficit under control, then we're going to have to cut excessive spending wherever it exists," said President Obama.
That means Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and defense."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Refusing to agree to even try to live within your means is extreme."
For once, I agree with you and disagree with President Obama. The problem is not excessive spending, it is not enough spending. Greedy people like you, Senator McConnell, and the banks, are sitting on the money. You keep talking about "living within means," yet refuse to explain why you aren't practicing what you preach.
When you fail to spend every cent you make like others must do in order to survive, you are living BELOW your means. That is far more disgusting than what you imply others are doing.
I've asked, several times, if you are living within your means, spending what you make in the United States, hopefully in Kentucky. But you never answer. Why?
Put your money where your mouth is; live up to what you ask of others. Explain what jobs you are creating with your tax breaks, and what you, personally, have given up before you ask others to give up the basics.
Shame on you. And on President Obama if he caves to your disgusting demands again.
As I listen to the latest delusional ramblings of Muammar al-Gaddafi, Charlie Sheen, and Scott Walker, I remember the most recent letter I received from you and realize that the four of you are very much alike. All of you possess erroneous beliefs about yourselves despite evidence to the contrary.
Gaddafi insists that his people love him and will die to protect him, despite the fact that they are protesting in the streets, begging him to leave. Walker, even after being recorded proving that he is a dishonest snake, and while the citizens of his state protest and entertain thoughts of recall, still insists that he has the support of his people. Sheen insists he has cured himself while his face and words do little to support that claim. You, Senator McConnell, send letters like the one I include here, stating things that do not resemble truth or rational thinking. While my heart goes out to each of you, my loyalty must remain with the people who are being hurt by your megalomania.
I don’t understand why the media devotes so much time to the delusional ramblings of the other three without including you. I will alert them to their negligence, with this breakdown to explain my position.
Thank you for contacting me in regard to the United States Senate and our ability to accomplish important business.
Actually, I contacted you about your obstructing the Senate’s ability to accomplish important business. I’m sure ignoring that fact makes th’s job easier since s/he only has to type one letter, but you must realize that it is dishonest for you and frustrating for the many of us who write when you pretend you read the opposite of what we said.
I appreciate you taking the time to send me your perspective on this matter and I am happy to respond.
It is less than comforting to know that you are happy to frustrate me with your dishonesty.
There is no doubt that a majority of Americans are concerned about the direction of our country, and the impact present decisions will have for the future of our children and grandchildren.
There is plenty of doubt that a majority of Americans are concerned. Did you see how many voted in out last election? When is the last time you tried to initiate a conversation with strangers in your district? I can state with absolute certainty that I have done so more recently and more often than you do, and the majority don’t either don’t have a clue or don’t want to be bothered. Of the ones who are willing to discuss the important issues, many have listened to Republican talking points and do not have a clue. That leaves a definite minority of your constituents informed and concerned.
Having to correct the damaging misinformation that you, the Republican Party, and your talk-radio and FOX News [sic] friends spread makes it difficult for those of us who attempt to engage our neighbors in intelligent conversation and thoughtful resolutions, Senator, not to mention the many hours I have to spend explaining to my grandchildren just how your plan would leave them scrapping for an education, working for half the wages we made when I was young while everything will cost them four times as much because you want the money and the power for yourself. It also highlights your poor leadership since it is your job to deliver the truth.
At a time when Americans are buckling down and making tough decisions, I feel that Congress must address the issues that lay before our nation with common sense solutions that will ease the burdens of those suffering.
Speaking of buckling down and making tough decisions, have you decided yet when you will grace us with a list of things that you, personally, have buckled down and given up, and a list of jobs you have created with your tax break? I gave up social activities (that doubled as physical exercise) in order to eat, and the medication that tripled in cost so I can buy birthday presents for my grandchildren. Not sure how you guys decided that those of us depending on Social Security (warning to fans of the 401k: my retirement savings already went into the system, with penalty taxes for daring to become disabled before my time), didn’t need raises when the cost of everything we need (food, gas, rent, medications, health care) increased, but you were wrong. Very wrong.
From the very first days of this Administration, I have pledged to work with the Majority to find solutions to the nation’s many challenges.
How did your heart survive dictating these words?
Remember this? (I know, you’ve tried to back away and pretend you were misunderstood but we aren’t buying what you’re selling, Senator McConnell.)
McConnell added, “Our single biggest political goal is to give our nominee for president the maximum opportunity to be successful. … We need to work smarter than we did [in 1995], and not become the foil off which [President Obama] pivots.” In 1995, then-Speaker Newt Gingrich led a shutdown of the government, which many Republicans now acknowledge was a “serious mistake, tactically and substantively.”
You can’t pretend, Senator, that you have been concerned with the people’s business when we all heard you say that you were focused on political aspirations instead, and your obstructionism proved that our business and our welfare certainly took a back seat to your game of politics.
Since your political goal involves finding common ground with Rand Paul and the Tea Party, it would be in the best interest of all women, particularly those of us who already live with Kentucky’s confusing assault laws, if you would address your thoughts about the head-stomping incident that Senator Paul continues to dodge when he can and lie about when he can’t dodge. How do you feel about politicians who hire thugs to physically abuse people who disagree with them, step aside with their M.D. instead of offering assistance, and lie about their relationship (hired) with the abusers? Who, if not our leaders, should be standing up against such violence?
Moreover, I have repeatedly offered to meet the President in the middle on issues of great importance to the American people.
Obviously, neither you, nor President Obama knows where the middle is. Your idea of center is one step away from falling off the right side and President Obama is not far behind you. Your idea of meeting in the middle is to get everything your way, or no way, and his idea of meeting in the middle is to give you your way before you make things worse. That said, you have thumbed your nose at President Obama, tossed us out with the trash, so this statement is dishonest enough to make my head spin and my stomach turn.
However, it seems that over the past year, this Majority has pursued a policy of governing from the far left.
Wrong. Although others afford you the courtesy of thinking you are ignorant, I believe you know better than this.
Whether it’s in the form of a failed stimulus package, or the passage of massive healthcare overhaul, I cannot support policies that will burden our future generations with an ever-increasing national debt, and continue the unsustainable trend of spending too much, borrowing too much, and taxing too much.
Much better to let the bankers steal from us until we die in the street from lack of health care? I feel your love, Senator.
After President Obama fell for your blackmailing tactics and gave you the personal tax break you want but don’t need, because you threatened to take away tax breaks for those who need every cent to survive and to stop unemployment for many others, your conscience allows you to write this? Unbelievable, even for you.
In case The Economic Report of the President is one of the documents you blew off because you thought was too long to read at the time, I provide this second chance to catch up. And, as one of your constituents, I ask that you spend your time reading bills and reports instead of dragging the secret service around (wasting tax dollars that you pretend to dislike so much) with you to visit schoolchildren who are not old enough to vote.
If you want to speak about trends, could you be so kind as to address the Koch trend, and how you think it helps the people you represent (that would be the people of Kentucky, the majority of whom do not share your wealth)?
As the Republican Leader in the U.S. Senate, I am optimistic that we can still come together in the spirit of bipartisanship as we enter the 112th Congress.
What made you decide to use the word Republican instead of Minority in this sentence? Just curious.
I appreciate your thoughts and you can be certain I will keep them in mind.
No, I cannot be certain that you will keep my thoughts in mind. You demonstrated in your first sentence that you forgot my thoughts before you even started this letter.
Again, I thank you for contacting me.
Again, I thank you for responding. I appreciate knowing that nothing has changed.
Please continue to keep me informed of issues that are important to you.
I will, even if you never, ever, ever in this lifetime actually address a single concern or speak the truth.
If you would like to receive periodic updates about issues such as this, please sign up for my eNewsletter at _____ and become a fan of my page on Facebook, by visiting _____.
Of course, I am not interested in updates “such as this”. I tried to get my information from honest, informed sources. But I do belong to one of your Facebook pages.
This is how a politician who honestly cares about we the people speaks:
Wow! I see what you mean about tightening our belts at home. We sure have our priorities straight, huh?
Superficial bragging rights for those who feel love based on the amount spent on unnecessary, commercialized tokens of love? Yeah, baby! Tax dollars to assure cardiac care for all Americans? We’re shooting (pun intended since this suggestion comes from your side) for unf'ingconstitutional.
Warms my heart, how about yours?
I heard those numbers and thought about the Valentine’s days of my life. As a child, my parents took me to the store and helped me choose a package of cards that I would give to my friends. That was my gift from them – participation, encouragement, enjoyment, and pocket change. And that was plenty for me.
On VD eve, I enjoyed gluing hearts and glitter to a shoebox in which classmates would deliver my Valentines. The most thoughtful part of the process was deciding which of my classmates would receive the twenty or so Valentines I had to give. I carefully reviewed the list. The people who were nice to everyone were first and got the biggest ones. The decisions got tougher later. Raymond spit paper wads in my hair and tripped everyone who walked down the aisle beside his desk so I could scratch his name off the list. Dennis flicked his cartridge pen at me and laughed when he splattered ink on my new dress. Forget him. Melissa was mean to everyone. She was an easy no.
I thought about character, theirs, and consequently my own. Had I treated anyone so poorly that people would scratch my name off their lists? I didn’t think so but it was still exciting to see those cards in my box. That made every Valentine I came home with at the end of the day meaningful. So I thought, at least.
By the time my children were in school, the rules had changed. Each student was to bring a Valentine for every child in the class. They meant nothing because of that, but the kids didn’t seem to notice. And, by then, many parents were buying gifts for their children – boxes of heart candies, beanie babies, Barbie dolls, stuffed animals . . . It became another competition for parents. The same people who would have filed for divorce if their husbands failed to send the required dozen red roses to work also bragged about what they had spent on their children for VD.
As an adult, I was not interested in Valentine’s Day. I have to admit, though, that I did appreciate the husband who brought me a tin of throat lozenges and a hand-made card the Valentine’s Day I was in bed with pharyngitis.
I cannot produce accurate poll numbers, names, or positive party affiliations. Well, I could produce names but that wouldn’t be nice. I can, with a fair amount of certainty, assure you that the women who ranted, cried, threatened no sex for a year if not divorce if their demands were not met (sound familiar?) on the days leading up to VD, were not liberals. Nor were the ones who did no work on VD because they were so busy watching the florist deliveries to make sure no one received anything more elaborate than what they got.
It would be absurd to deny that there are personality differences between conservatives and liberals, or that these differences don’t show themselves in circumstances and occasions that aren’t normally considered political. I’m glad Valentine’s Day came so soon after your letter referencing ‘living within our means’ so this particular difference would occur me. There will be exceptions on both sides, but my experience has been that a typical liberal feels love for, and loved by, the person who helps others, shares with the world, or makes a difference - not when someone charges a dozen roses and dinner in a crowded chain restaurant. Liberals don’t need assigned days, commercially prescribed ways, crowds of friends saying it’s cool, or anyone’s approval in order to show or feel love. (Actually, we’re used to having conservatives make fun of us for loving others, and trying to imply that when we campaign to help others –including them—we are really trying to get everything for ourselves.)
The next time you try to address living within means, I suggest you start with leading by example. Spend what you have – every cent in America, buying things made in America. Or, do you only mean that for others and not yourself and other hoarders? See, nothing trickles if it’s hoarder (and it especially won’t trickle over here if it’s hoarded in another country). Please, don’t assume (incorrectly again) that you are speaking only to conservatives when you include statements about trying to live within our means. Some of us (probably some conservatives, too, but they must not mind your insults) have successfully survived within our means for years and resent you for not doing the same.
Since you used tightening the belt and living within our means as a comparison to national economy, I would like to explain how I prioritized and managed to do this. Hopefully, it will influence, or guilt-trip control the demands you and your party make now that President Obama caved to your hostage-taking exercise in bullying. I did not spend what most people do on Valentines or holiday gifts for my children and I never spent what I didn’t already have. That left us with plenty to help others. I kept a rotary telephone so long that kids had to ask how to use it and only gave it up then because the phone company forced me to change. I’m still using furniture that belonged to my great-grandparents. I have a fat television and a car that makes people point and laugh, because not replacing what works leaves us able to help others.
I have what I need and like what I have.
When things got tight in my home, I cancelled the monitoring service for the security system, not my daughter’s music lessons or dance classes. And no one in my family would ever have thought to demand a higher allowance for herself knowing that it would mean I could not afford to take her sister to the doctor.
If I were going to go into debt, it would be to start a business, or to keep someone alive.
If you need more (I know you’ve heard from many already) real life examples of people who have and/or do live within their means and still can’t make it in this society where hoarders are sitting on money that could create jobs, please ask.
Hope you receive the heart I want you to have today.
Thank you for explaining that your party purposely destroyed our economy, for telling me how proud you are of becoming a wealthy man at the expense of the people you voted into frightening, painful situations, and for admitting that you agree with my suspicion that you just might possibly be a sociopath. I couldn’t be more relieved if Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Clarence Thomas requested prosecution for the crimes they have committed, or if John Boehner paled and shouted, “Psych! We didn’t expect you to believe that nonsense about transparency, debate, jobs, and the constitution.”
Doesn’t feel so good to have me put words in your mouth, does it? I know this because I felt rotten enough to scream every cuss word I know (even made up a few new ones) when I opened your letter dated January 24, 2011, (received February 8, 2011, referencing my November, 2010 phone call and letters) only to find that your first line totally misrepresented my message. I apologize to readers who might be disappointed in me for the dishonest first paragraph of this letter, but that apology does not extend to you. Only for you and your allies in the party of deception and obstruction will I take Anne Northup’s All’s fair in love and politics advice and feed you a dose of your own medicine.
As usual, you managed to insult me and misrepresent the truth on so many levels that I cannot express my disappointment or disgust with a blanket, one-line response so I will address each line.
Thank you for contacting me regarding prevention of a massive tax hike on all American taxpayers.
How could you possibly have gotten this from what I said in my ll/18/10 phone call phone call or my 11/22/10 letter in which I addressed your position on the tax bill in which I documented the following?
"It's time Congress got its priorities straight," [Senator McConnell] said. "It's time Congress focused on job creation -- and that means preventing tax hikes. It's time to set aside the political votes and government spending that the administration and Democratic leaders have put above all other priorities for two years."
Tax hikes? Seriously? When the sale ends and prices return to normal, do you also call those price increases? Calling returning to the original tax rates a ‘hike’ is purposefully misleading, which is not polite, honest, or acceptable.
“We are experiencing what can only be described as a jobs crisis, a sustained period of chronic unemployment; and two years of policies that have vastly increased the size and scope of government and added trillions to the debt and have done little to alleviate this problem.”
Same with implying that the jobs crisis is a result of the last two years. If there is a shred of truth in that, it’s because you have obstructed. The full truth is that President Obama inherited this crisis and you have vowed to do everything in your power to prevent his success in correcting it.
Rhetorical question. No sane person could have thought that when I said, “Calling returning to the original tax rates a ‘hike’ is purposefully misleading, which is not polite, honest, or acceptable,” I was actually contacting you regarding the “prevention of a massive tax hike on all American taxpayers.” I will not patronize you by suggesting that you are not intellectually capable of comprehending my message, nor will I insult myself or the person who answered the phone in your office by second-guessing the clarity of my position.
You choose to misrepresent my words and your dishonesty is not acceptable, Senator McConnell.
Hearing from Kentuckians such as you helps me represent our Commonwealth in the U.S. Senate.
How, exactly? Please, explain exactly what you are asking me to believe about this process.
I call and write with my concerns.
You stand in public and deny hearing from people who don’t share your views.
Months later, after you have taken the country hostage, disregarded non-partisan proof that what you embraced as your opinion was incorrect, ignored the constituents who disagreed with your position, survived the media and fact-checking organizations that raked you over the coals, you force your will/destruction on the American people.
Then, when it's already done, you send this condescending denial that you heard a word any dissenter said to you.
And you expect me to believe I have been helpful in this process? Seriously? I am not stupid, Senator McConnell. You know that by now so please stop implying that I am.
Hearing from Kentuckians “such as me” means absolutely nothing to you, and does nothing for the common good of this country. You do not represent our “commonwealth” in the U.S. Senate. You represent your own wealth and the common interests of the top 2% and your corporate puppeteers.
There is no doubt that our country is in the midst of a deep and painful economic downturn.
Wrong. There is plenty of doubt. Some people think the whole economic crisis is overstated. Honestly. I’ve heard that from fellow Kentuckians. You might want to hit the streets and talk to some real people because real people think all sorts of things and doubt most anything (especially the ones who watch FOX).
My doubt is on the last word of your dramatic sentence – downturn. And I think I know the deep pain you must feel. Despite your diligent effort at obstructing, President Obama still managed, in two short years, to turn us back in the right direction after eight years of George Bush and his rubber-stampers. Truth is, we are on the upturn, no thanks to you. (But, later in this letter you will try to claim his progress as your own.)
Families across Kentucky are tightening their belts and trying to live within their means.
This short sentence leaves so many questions unanswered.
Which families?
What percentage of the population of Kentucky do they represent?
Are you implying that Kentuckians were living either above or below their means before?
Are you counting Kentuckians who lost jobs and had no choice?
Does this mean that the wealthiest (like you) are also trying suddenly to live within your means and spending your fortunes in Kentucky, on things made in Kentucky, and pouring all of that sales tax and job creation into our commonwealth? If so, please give details. Also, I’m selling handmade voodoo dolls and copies of my novel, Race for Terre Bluff, and I’m ready to take your orders.
But for two years, the Administration and its allies in Congress have argued that the solution to our nation’s economic problems was to hand over trillions in taxpayer dollars to Washington bureaucrats and then have them spend it for us.
You do realize know that you are a Washington bureaucrat, don’t you? And that you are responsible for deficit spending on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, both of which started long before the Administration that you hope to hope to cast negatively with this comment was in office?
(I get a strange feeling that you are trying to make allies appear to be a negative word now and that just weird. Didn't it feel uncomfortable when I did it to you earlier?)
Americans are rightly frustrated and have called for Congress and the President to take a different approach.
Of course, frustration is a justifiable emotion. I’ve tried to explain that to your authoritarian followers when they imply that I have no right to my frustration with their ignorance and willingness to accept your dishonesty. I would like to say let’s call it even, since both sides have called on Congress for change but I’m quite positive that more people on my side have called on Congress for change and that is nothing at all like what you are implying here. You might never admit this in public, Senator McConnell, or to me personally, but I know that you know your ideas are in the minority.You wouldn't have to rely on corporate sponsors for your deception otherwise.
As a U.S. Senator for Kentucky, I am proud of my role in the bipartisan agreement that protected Kentucky’s families and small business from a job-killing tax hike at the end of the year.
I’m sure you must know this is the point at which I started making up new cuss words. I can only believe you have no conscience.
This legislation that I helped craft represents a clear shift in the debate over our nation’s path to economic recovery.
Bushit! - tax cuts do not result in economic growth or job creation
I cannot address the remainder of your letter without raising my blood pressure, and it would be redundant since fact-checking services have already shredded your rhetoric. But, I will address it with my fellow Kentuckians who, sadly, are a little behind the rest of the country in their willingness to ditch Mitch immediately. I intend to catch them up by showing how poorly you represent our commonwealth in the U.S. Senate because you your main concern is protecting your personal wealth. 98% of the people should resent your redistribution of their wealth into the pockets of the 2% who finance the lies you tell.
Fingers crossed that the last line won’t get my head stomped,
