A child’s curiosity and natural desire to learn are like a tiny flame, easily extinguished unless it’s protected and given fuel. This book will help you as a parent both protect that flame of curiosity and supply it with the fuel necessary to make it burn bright throughout your child’s life. Let’s ignite our children’s natural love of learning!
February 5th, 2009
An Open Letter to My So-Called Representatives
To my “representatives”:
I wrap that word in quotes because I’m not so sure that you actually represent me. Theoretically you do, since I live in some pre-defined boundaries to which you pertain, and because you convinced my neighbors that you’d be a good fit for office. But in my mind, representation transcends geography and popularity; to truly represent me, you need to understand me.
Given your actions of late, you apparently don’t understand me or the majority of my neighbors. We’ve called you and made our voices heard (or so your aide told us). We’ve written letters, only to receive canned replies. We’ve written letters to the editor, attended political action meetings, and brainstormed ideas to actually get through to you.
But you still don’t listen. Polls clearly show what we’re thinking, and yet you write us off as uninformed on the issue at hand. You vote for larger government, more debt, an expanding empire, and less liberty. And then when the election draws near, you campaign on principles that you’ve ignored during your entire tenure. Your name recognition and large war chest help you smash the opposition, and you retain your power—growing more and more distant from those whom you claim to represent.
Well, you don’t represent me. I stand for limited government, and while you claim on your website to do the same, you continually vote for programs and departments that have no constitutional origin. I stand for individual and state sovereignty, and yet you let the federal government reach into my state and my life, this despite the ninth and tenth amendments that clearly forbid the action. I stand for honest money and frugality, and you mire us further into debt at an astronomical pace. I stand for integrity and morality, and your votes betray these ideals you champion during the campaign.
You need to understand that we’re approaching a breaking point. Riots are going on throughout the world over some of the problems other governments are facing. So far, my fellow Americans have remained largely placated through their television set. But they’re waking up. They’re seeing the massive theft going on in government, and they’re losing trust in you. The collective blood temperature of your constituents is growing closer to the boiling point. When we reach that threshold, there will be hell to pay. And that’s when you lose your job.
Without truly representing me, you’re just a leech. You grow fat and full of power because of my productive labors, and yet you continually bind me down with unconscionable laws and regulations. Voting to expand the system that pays your wages, you ignore your constituents that gave you the opportunity to be there in the first place.
Your days are numbered. We don’t trust you anymore. If you have any desire of keeping your job, then it’s time to start really representing those of us who would like to see America remain intact for our posterity’s sake.
Should you continue your current course, then I and others like me will work relentlessly to ensure you lose your next election. Your political future rests on your voting record. It’s up to you to determine what happens next. Do what’s right and you’ll be rewarded; keep up what you’ve been doing recently, and you’re going home. You’ve been warned.
19 Responses to “An Open Letter to My So-Called Representatives”
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Clap. Clap. Clap (80s style) slow… but progressively quicker and louder.
I’m sure Connor just got added to some database somewhere if he wasn’t already.
That was awesome.
Bravo Brother, BRAVO!
All I can say is, “I agree“… and that you put it more poignantly than I ever could.
Thanks for writing this.
Yes. Yes. And yes again.
Unfortunately for me, I live in a district where this letter wouldn’t make sense. Despite call after call being ignored, he always wins by a landslide. Most of the people in this district are ignorant, unaware, and blinded by partisanship to even consider voting for anyone other than him. And he actually sticks to his campaign promises. They’re just promises that I don’t want.
I’m tired of the attitude of people voting for the lesser of two evils.
I’m tired of people voting for a party rather than the person.
I’m tired of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” mentality.
I’m tired of my “representatives” toting a party line to get elected, then doing anything they want.
I’m tired of the same people getting elected no matter what.
I’m tired of being ignored.
I’m tired of accepting things the way they are — as if that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
I’m tired of people saying that a vote for a third party is a wasted vote.
Here’s a wasted vote:
Voting for someone you don’t believe in.
Voting for someone you KNOW isn’t going to represent you.
Voting for someone because he’s got the right letter next to his name.
Voting for someone because you don’t know who to vote for.
Voting for someone because the MSM says you should.
Voting for someone because he wants to give you something in exchange for liberty.
I’m tired of wasted votes.
I am fortunate to be represented (no quotes needed) by Jeff Flake. He listens; he gets it; he fights against government waste. I don’t always agree with him, but he listens to me.
Now, I am also “represented” by Jon Kyl and John McCain. Given that I have nothing good to say about either man, I yield back the balance of my unused time.
It is personally gratifying to know that there are patriots such as Connor in the 20 something generation who will protect and defend our inspired and blessed Constitution of the United States of America. I am deeply concerned that my 60 something generation is falling down and we have forgotten how to get back up.
I really do not understand why folks cannot seem to recognize what is being foisted upon us by this gaggle of, for the most part, functional illiterates and warmongering buffoons we continue to elect and reelect to steer our ship of state. Most of these pathetic New World Order sycophants would have been hanged for their treasonous behavior in an earlier time. I sincerely hope we will come together to bring this tyrannical government back to reality before the words of Thomas Jefferson and J. Reubin Clark must be employed.
Personally, I have little faith in our electoral process at this juncture, and am already prepared to do whatever it takes to restore legitimacy to our founding principles. Anyone who is relying on the system to right itself is clearly deluded or simply foolish.
Way to go we should all adopt this letter and start a sending letter campaign……awsome thanks.
“Unfortunately for me, I live in a district where this letter wouldn’t make sense.”
I was born and raised in the 14th District of Texas — Ron Paul territory. I never had to worry about tracking his votes. Problem is, there’s nothing I can do to change the direction this country as a whole is moving.
I, for one (if not many), am pissed as hell about this. You could not have put it any better. People are slowly waking up. When they do, things are likely to get ugly. Our representatives as a whole are serving their own interests and care little for us as people. It’s time for a real change, not the crap propaganda put out by our current president.
Connor,
I like what you’re saying and your passion in saying it.
But with all due respect, their days are not numbered, or if they are, they’re only numbered in the long-term economy of God . . .
. . . for the simple reason that those of us who see things as you do are a long way from being smart enough, numerous enough, organized enough, or even decent enough to put together an actual movement that would have the power to be a limiting force on the length of days that these people that “serve” us in public office.
There’s a way to change that, though.
You’re invited to be part of it.
So are your readers.
Mike Ridgway
Salt Lake City/Tooele Utah
801-438-4139
miketangoromeo@gmail.com
So what you are really trying to say is that our Reps are nothing more than good old fashioned Gadiantons? We know from the BOM that the Gads lived off the production of others while producing nothing of thier own, using fear death and intimidation to get gain.
While I can fully appreciate the sentiment of this open letter, it seems a bit baseless coming from a resident of a state that re-elects incumbents more than any other western state, embraces the straight party ticket, and en masse espouses the principles of limited government while defending the current incarnation of the Republican Party, which is not limiting government. In essence, people in Utah would better represent themselves by having a say in what Democrats win election in the current climate than they would consistently looking for the “R” and calling it an informed, responsible vote.
I’m not advocating such action, just implying it would be more effective for those who wanted to influence the direction of our government to do so than to blather on about conservative principles while rubber stamping the likes of Bishop, Bennet, Hatch.
As a firm believer in the principles the Democratic Party currently represents, even I can admit that we will be no better off in 8 years if the Republicans don’t get their act together and offer up a valid challenge. I don’t see that challenger emerging from with the GOP yet. Joe the Plummer? Palin? Boehner? McConnell? Our own federal delgates? No matter how desperately conservatives defend these people, they are doing the GOP no good.
Just so you know, Jason, Connor wasn’t exactly the deciding vote in any recent Utah elections.
Connor, Here is a different approach. A letter from a boss to grumbling employees with visions of stimulus checks dancing in their heads. Sorry I don’t know the author.
“A Boss Who Tells it Like it Is…..
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn’t pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You’ve seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I’m sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don’t see is the back story.
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.
My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn’t have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business — hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom’s for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn’t look like it was birthed in the 70’s. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am , mentally check in at about noon , and then leave at 5pm , I don’t. There is no “off” button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden — the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations… you never realize the back story and the sacrifices I’ve made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn’t. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I’ve paid is steep and not without wounds.
Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:
I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don’t pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my “stimulus” check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you’d quit and you wouldn’t work here. I mean, why should you? That’s nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.
Here is what many of you don’t understand … to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn’t need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.
When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don’t defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.
So where am I going with all this?
It’s quite simple.
If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child’s future. Frankly, it isn’t my problem any more.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I’m done. I’m done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.
So, if you lose your job, it won’t be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about….
Signed,
Your boss”
Dear Boss,
I don’t understand why you blame all your woes on the government and the poor in this country. Sure you’ve worked hard to get where you’re at. But don’t our elected representatives work hard as well?
They take such great pains to cover up all their pork in the stimulus package that they even gave up 10% of the pork to make it clear that they were against packing our legislation with excess spending that won’t help the economy. You don’t call that sacrifice?
They do everything they can to route all our calls and letters to their assistants so they don’t have to talk to us directly. They hire security forces and PR reps to make sure they are not followed when they take a breather at the D.C. Brothel. They have to sneak around so they can get their pet projects passed with a minimal quorum at midnight so that the majority of their chamber won’t even know the issue is up for vote. That’s a lot of work!
When they do something unpopular, they have to spend exorbitant amounts of money and time to find the right spin doctors to sell it to the zombies in this country in a way that they will get re-elected. And while your business may always run as long as you keep trying, our representatives may not get re-elected because of the opinions of people who don’t even know what it’s like to be in their shoes. What? are we still in high school?
As for the poor, we can’t help where we are. Do you think we CHOSE to be poor? I never get up any morning and say,”Hey, I want to be poor today.” You complain about all the hoops you have to jump through so you can pay off the government for the privilege of providing work for your employees. Try all the hoops I have to jump through and all the forms I have to fill out to get my welfare check. Do you think that is easy? What about the line I have to stand in those days my check isn’t delivered to me in the mail? My feet hurt when I have to do that.
One of the greatest thinkers of the 19th century asked for a more peaceful world when he said,”From each according to his ability. To each according to his need.” Well, you are more able than I am. And I am more needy than you are. So, why do you find it so difficult to give me some of the fruit of your labors? Can’t you see that I am incapable of work?
So, when you sit in your lavish house that you’ve already paid for, why don’t you consider how difficult it is for us poor people to make the tough decisions on whether we keep our big screen TV or our apartment.
Signed,
The custodian.
Sorry, I guess that should have been:
Signed,
Unemployed single mother of 14 (including the recent octuplets).
The time has come to be an idealist. I’ll no longer allow government to continue down this path. I will do my part.