Debt Ceiling Action — Write your Senators and Reps Today

Folks, it is obviously up to us to tell our elected representatives what we want, because they need some guidance up there in Washington, DC.  (What is it about the air of that place that makes people lose their minds?)

Here’s my letter to my Republican Senator, Ron Johnson, as an example:

Dear Senator Johnson,

When you ran for office, you promised to work on behalf of all Wisconsinites, not just those who voted for you.  I write to you now as one who didn’t vote for you but needs your help, as do all Americans.

Refusing to raise the debt ceiling now is wrong.  All the debt ceiling does is say to our creditors, “We will pay you what is owed.”  There is no reason whatsoever not to do so, so I do not understand your opposition in this matter.

While there is an argument that we as a country shouldn’t be spending so much — something I fully agree with — the fight for a Balanced Budget Amendment shouldn’t be hitched to this particular wagon.

At this point, we are on the brink of utter disaster.  If the debt ceiling is not raised, consequences could be catastrophic.  I really doubt you wish to do something that is so harmful to every single aspect of our economy, from the highest to the lowest, so please reconsider your opposition to raising the debt ceiling.

Sincerely,

Barb Caffrey

To find your Senators, go here:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm 

Here’s an example of how to write to your elected Representative, my letter to my duly elected Rep, Paul Ryan:

Dear Representative Ryan,

I know you are philosophically opposed to raising the debt ceiling without massive spending cuts as you are what’s known as a “deficit hawk.”  Still, you are sworn to do the people’s business, and right now, raising the debt ceiling is the right thing to do.

You have been in Congress for many years now, and you know full well that most of the time, raising the debt ceiling is a bloodless move that no one frets about.  I don’t understand why it’s different this time for you or for the Republican Reps. in the House, but I do know that if you don’t do it, the consequences will likely be catastrophic.

I am much more concerned about the economy, why we still have over 14% reportable unemployment in Racine, WI, and why no one’s talking about the jobs issue.  If more people were working, the deficit wouldn’t be as bad as it is because more tax revenue would be coming in.

Further, I am disgusted and incensed that the Republicans in the House refused to even consider closing tax loopholes that enrich big business and the wealthy while talking about cuts to “entitlement programs” that the middle class and below need every day — Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.  It seems to me that a disproportionate amount of the burden has been placed on the middle class and below; why is it that the wealthy are exempt from sacrifice?  And why on Earth do we still need to subsidize oil companies, the wealthiest corporations in the history of the world?

I applaud you for being willing to at least discuss the issue, Rep. Ryan, but I do not appreciate that there is no “sharing” in this sacrifice.

Please vote to raise the debt ceiling forthwith, without any such nonsense as “Cut, Cap and Balance,” as you know that will never pass the Senate.  Stop this nonsense, and let’s get on with the people’s business, all right?

Sincerely,

Barb Caffrey

To find your Representatives, go here:

http://www.house.gov/representatives/

And to write to President Obama, go here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Good luck in talking sense to these people; I pray that they will listen to us before it’s too late.  (Why they insist on playing petty partisan games until the last possible second, I will never know.  Perhaps that’s why I’m not a politician.)