What would you ask your Congressman?

Maybe it’s because we live and work in Michigan, but, I see more and more locals shaking their heads. I read more mail from folks with this general attitude, ‘Our system has failed us.?
Maybe it’s because we see more signs reading, ‘Liquidation Sale? or ‘Going Out of Business Sale.? Maybe it’s because we’ve all read stories from the Metro-Detroit area, ‘one in 80 homes being foreclosed.? Maybe we know one of the 3,000 or so GM workers being relocated from Pontiac to Warren.
Maybe it’s because Gov. Granholm and the state boys and girls in Lansing can only bicker while Michigan continues to be Stuck Under Crummy Karma — read: SUCK.
Regardless, the feeling about is ‘nobody in power cares.?
Wrote one reader, ? (We need to) Think like the Japanese — take steps to protect our market. Stop the partisan nonsense in Washington and take a collaborative effort whereby government actually supports domestic industry and commerce.
‘Ross Perot said in 1992 , if NAFTA passes we can stand by the boarder and listen to the large sucking sound … and it’s been windy in Michigan lately.
‘Build a boarder fence along the Mexico boarder and police it.
‘Isolationism isn’t the total answer, but if you don’t control the global economic equalization, this market may fail all together and then everyone loses.
‘A long term perspective is in order with government and industry. CEO’s must think past the bonuses and Senators and Congressmen must think past their 4 or 6 year tenure.
‘For God’s sake — would someone do something for ‘the good of the people??
‘I know that’s a foreign concept and perhaps na’ve, a bit altruistic, but where are the righteous men today? Washington is out of touch with the people to the same extent the French government was out of touch with the working peasant just before the French revolution. The salt tax was taxation that put folks over the edge. They revolted.
‘In the same way, US citizens should revolt in a civil fashion. Justice in this country is bought and sold in Congress and in the courtroom. No one strives to represent the average guy, to carry his banner, to voice his concerns.?
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Maybe it’s time Mr. Rush goes to Washington? If I were able to do this, however, what could I do? What would I say if I met a Congressman? What would I ask?
Readers — what do you think needs to happen to turn things around. Send me your ideas and your questions. Somehow, someway I’ll try to get them into the hands of folks in Lansing and Washington, D.C. Maybe it’s time to ask our elected folk: You solicited my vote to get you here but will you solicit my opinions, my thoughts and my perspective before you pass a law or vote on legislation. Will you truly represent your constituents free of bribery and lobbyist activities that may influence your actions? Will you give the people you represent a voice?
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In 1939 Frank Capra released the movie, ‘Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.? It’s about an idealistic and naive man (Jimmy Stewart — aka Mr. Smith) appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. He runs into the machine and corruption of power. Here’s a quote from that movie. (And, yes, it is naive and idealistic — but maybe we should look for folks who believe in more than the next election.)
‘Just get up off the ground, that’s all I ask. Get up there with that lady that’s up on top of this Capitol dome, that lady that stands for liberty. Take a look at this country through her eyes if you really want to see something. And you won’t just see scenery; you’ll see the whole parade of what Man’s carved out for himself, after centuries of fighting. Fighting for something better than just jungle law, fighting so’s he can stand on his own two feet, free and decent, like he was created, no matter what his race, color, or creed.
‘That’s what you’d see. There’s no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties. And, uh, if that’s what the grown-ups have done with this world that was given to them, then we’d better get those boys? camps started fast and see what the kids can do. And it’s not too late, because this country is bigger than the Taylors, or you, or me, or anything else. Great principles don’t get lost once they come to light. They’re right here; you just have to see them again!?
Be patriotic — get some guts — send me your opinions. Exercise your rights to be heard. Let’s be pleasantly surprised. My e-mail address is: dontrushmedon@charter.net