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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Politics Letter to the Editor

Posted by on Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 9:28 AM

To the Editor:

Your latest guide to survive this economy which has most of us “freaking out” provides a lot of helpful tips to at least make the freak-out a little more bearable—or at least funny.

But joking aside, there is one tip that went unmentioned that is very possibly our only way out of this economy: we have to call (or write if you cannot afford the minutes) our representatives and make sure they get Obama’s budget through Congress.

The recently proposed Obama budget is our best hope at turning this economy around and actually investing in the right things—like public transit and clean energy. Transitioning to a clean energy economy will protect our planet, put millions of Americans to work in new green jobs—such as building wind turbines and installing solar panels—and help rebuild our economy on a sound foundation.

Here in Washington, we are lucky enough to have Senator Murray representing us in DC. Senator Murray sits on the budget committee and therefore is a crucial voice and vote on this issue. But the only way she will be a strong champion on this green budget is if she hears from us in mass. So the next time you're on a crowded bus, instead of reading your book, give your senator a call. The person crammed in next to you probably won’t mind if you just let them know what you’re doing.

Kat Scott

If you'd rather or also email Senator Murray, go here.

 

Comments (13) RSS

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1
I love the idea of contacting electeds to support Obama's budget - if you know what it contains and leaves out, who's happy and who's disappointed and why, which Congresspeople are hoping to do what to it, etc. If you're making a statement of blanket support based on sweet-talking points emailed by somebody you don't know, that is not good citizenship, it is just being somebody's stooge.
Posted by gloomy gus on March 25, 2009 at 9:34 AM
2
Obama's budget is piece of crap.
Posted by The Debt Monotizer! on March 25, 2009 at 9:47 AM
3
I love how Republicants don't know how to stop whining over their massive electoral loss.
Posted by Will in Seattle on March 25, 2009 at 10:10 AM
4
This is not simply Republican whining. The ever increasing debt is serious and debate is surely needed. Check out the Frontline episode, "Ten Trillion and Counting."

Paul Krugman says, "We are seriously talking about bringing the U.S. debt to levels that are higher than we've seen.... And you start to get a little nervous. There really ought to be a plan..."

It is simple mathematics. It is unsustainable to spend more than you take in. Something will have to give. Reality will not give way to ideology, be it Republican style conservatism or Democrat-style socialism.

Posted by Medina on March 25, 2009 at 10:28 AM
5
Even the Europeans are balking at Obama's deficit. (read this morning's news wrapup) At the rate Obama wants to spend the national debt will be 82% of the entire economy by 2019.
Posted by Be Afraid. Be VERY Afraid. on March 25, 2009 at 10:34 AM
6
Rather than pushing to get Obama's budget passed Kat could just slit her wrists. Either course is a sure fire formula for destruction but at least that way she won't saddle her grand and great-grand children with grinding debt.
Posted by make your kids proud (and grateful) Kat! on March 25, 2009 at 10:37 AM
7
Does Ms Scott realize that the President of the ERuropean Union called Obama's budget the way to Hell?
Posted by Lucifer. I'm waiting.............................. on March 25, 2009 at 10:39 AM
8
Not to feed the trolls, but the Czech PM/current EU president is a center-rightist admirer of Thatcher whose government just collapsed after he lost a vote of confidence about the economy. So, you know, there's that.
Posted by Abby on March 25, 2009 at 10:48 AM
9
contacting your legislators is an important part of living in a democracy, but please make an effort to become educated on a particular issue before making that call or sending that email.
Posted by happy renter on March 25, 2009 at 10:52 AM
10
@8 Czech is still a country? I thought they folded years ago. Kind of like Canada.

Also, if you pull your cell phone out on the bus to call a goddamn Representative, you are an asshole. No one wants to hear your conversations - regardless of your intentions. Emergency? I understand, take your time and make the call. Leaving a mesage with Murray's secretary? You're a self-important jackass who thinks their "phone call" can change the world. Far more deuchier than the people who think that voting matters.
Posted by JF on March 25, 2009 at 11:24 AM
11
Thank you for the email link.
I let the senator know how important it is to cut Obama's deficit.
Posted by Charles on March 25, 2009 at 12:26 PM
12
@5 - 82% of the entire economy by 2019? I don't understand how is that any worse than the mortgage I have now.
Posted by Jim Bexley-Speed on March 25, 2009 at 1:28 PM
13
Thanks for the reminder to thank Senator Murray for all the hard work she does for us.
Posted by beatgrl on March 25, 2009 at 6:24 PM

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