I recently sent another letter to Senators Specter, Collins, Snowe, and in my own state Cantwell and Murry.  I received a response from Cantwell this time.  Again I highly doubt this was written by the esteemed senator herself, I thought I would share.  Sorry for such a long post, but I think that some of you might find this interesting.

My second letter:

Dear Senator

I must say that I am EXTREMELY disappointed with how you voted for the “stimulus” bill. I am disappointed that you thought it okay to condemn our country to decades more of debt to other countries that clearly do not have our best interests in mind, countries that would like nothing more than to profit from our demise. We are slowing losing out liberty because of people like you; people who swore to uphold and protect the constitution, yet treat it as if it were a cleaning rag behind closed doors to push your secret agendas. 

It is sickening how President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Senator Reid try to shove this bill down Americas collective throat as quickly as possible to keep us from see the truth behind it, and you went right along with their plans. You aided them by passing it, and not allowing true DEMOCRATIC debate on the subject. We had a chance to halt this race to spending ourselves into socialism, a chance to actually look at what they were trying do to our country. I simply won’t believe that you had no idea about what their agenda was. You HAD to see that they didn’t want the American people to see how they are ruining our country. Why else would they have trumpeted the idea that if we didn’t act now all would be lost? ONLY 3% OF THIS BILL IS GOING BE SPENT THIS YEAR! If time was of the essence then why is it going take at least 2 years to spend just 25% of the stimulus? You have to see the real reason for the haste of passing this bill! They were afraid of the people finding out what was in it before it was passed. Yesterday the President tried to tell us that there was not pork barrel spending in this bill. I guess in a twisted sort of way that is true. There really aren’t individual pork programs in it, THE WHOLE THING IS ONE BIG PORK PROGRAM! THIS BILL HAS MORE PORK IN IT THEN A CAN OF SPAM! And you went along of the ride, aiding the President in the desecration of the foundations this great country was founded on.

If you TRULY wanted to fix this economic problem, all you had to do was look to history. First I point you to President Ronald Reagan, and what he did in the 1980’s. By halting excess spending, pulling money out of the market, and cutting taxes he averted a crisis; a crisis that was cause by President Carter! He knew that the only way to stop an economic slide was to put money back into the coffers of the companies that employ us, the American people, and that leads to companies having more money to hire the unemployed (people that you become a burden to society because of this bill). He was able to turn a crisis around that was arguably worse then what we are experiencing today! The other crisis I point you to is the Depression of 1920… I don’t know if you knew about the Depression of 1920, but by all standards of measuring an economic rescission it was much worse than the Great Depression (in fact more production and jobs were lost in its first year than any other crisis we have faced). But there is a very good reason many have not heard of it; it only lasted one year! The reason it last but one year is that President Warren G Harding did nothing to interfere with the markets. He cut taxes, but didn’t attempt to buy up bad loans, spend billions on wasteful government programs, or print trillions in new dollars. He allowed the markets to purge bad credit and bad businesses, and they eventually corrected themselves. The history taught in school is a lie that FDR brought us out of the Great Depression. AND WE ARE DOING THE EXACT SAME THING TODAY! 

I hope the truth about why you voted yes on this bill comes out, so that WE, the voters in your district, will truly see what kind of representative you are. I have a feeling the rest of the voters would be just as outraged as I am if they knew. 

Thank you for your time,

Cabe Lovlie

Natural born citizen of the United States, and defender of her Constitution.

And here is the response I received:

Dear Mr. Lovlie,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1).  I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

I understand that American families are struggling as the economic situation continues to deteriorate.  These are extraordinarily challenging times.  Bold action is needed to restore confidence in our country's economy and financial markets, and to get people back to work.  The recovery bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate is designed to provide immediate help for those struggling to weather the crisis, and to begin the long-term process of rebuilding our economy and creating needed jobs.  It's a plan to provide hope and opportunity for all hardworking Americans. 

As a member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, I continue to pursue policies that promote growth in the economy and increase standards of living for Washingtonians. We do that though turning our economy in a new direction.  And we transform our economy by investing in clean energy and creating high-paying jobs in the United States to support those new industries.  Our country can reduce its dependence on foreign oil, and protect American consumers from a repeat of the dramatic spike in oil prices that devastated your budgets in 2007 and 2008, if we make these investments now.  

I supported the bill that passed the U.S. Congress on February 13, 2009, in part because it put a down payment on our economic transition to a clean energy future and will create tens of thousands of green jobs.  The bill provides $11 billion investment in smart grid technology and infrastructurebased on language I authored in the 2007 Energy bill.  This money will create 73,500 jobs nationwide to make the use of our energy more efficient.  This bill also extends tax credits for investments in wind and solar energy by 3 years, doubles Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) to finance facilities that generate electricity from wind, geothermal, hydropower and other renewable energy sources, and provides a $2,500 tax credit for consumers who purchase plug-in electric vehicles. 

In addition to creating a new green economy, this bill also strengthens our focus on education, health care, and infrastructure, and provides the necessary resources in these areas to ensure a strong future for our children.  In Washington state alone, this bill will create or save an estimated 75,000 jobs over the next two years.  In addition, more than 2.45 million workers and their families will benefit from the "Making Work Pay" tax cut of up to $1,000 per couple, and for many workers who have lost their jobs, the plan allows an additional $100 per month and an additional 33 weeks of unemployment benefits.  For small businesses, the bill provides increased access to credit.  The bill also will increase private capital in order to continue plans for affordable housing developments across our state.

Other important elements in the Senate-passed legislation include: an extension of existing Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs, giving extended income support and training benefits for workers who lose their jobs because of increased imports or factory shifts to certain countries; an additional $2.06  billion in Medicaid relief for Washington families; a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that will make college more affordable for 67,000 families; and an expansion of the Earned Income Tax and Child Tax Credits for low-income working families.

Rebuilding our economy is an ongoing process, and is not something that can be fixed overnight.  It is important that as we work to craft effective economic recovery legislation we strike an appropriate balance among our nation's priorities. Please be assured that I will keep your ideas in mind as the Senate moves forward in addressing these critical issues.

Thank you so much for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter.  Finally, I would like to keep you informed of what is happening in D.C. Every Monday, I provide a brief outline about my work in the Senate and issues of importance to Washington state. If you are interested in getting this update, please visit my website at http://cantwell.senate.gov.  Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

Again, I highly doubt she actually wrote this. 


Here is the response I wrote to the above letter:

Dear Senator,

                First, I would like to say thank you for the response, but it looks as though you still do not listen to what me, and the majority of Americans are saying. Two thirds of the country believes that this atrocious spending bill will do nothing to help our economy, and as much as 54% of the country think this package will only hurt us. I only wished you would have listened to the millions crying out for caution. It is just simply unconscionable that you would vote for this package without even reading 50% of it. To have been able to read this bill from the time it was released for review to the time the vote was held a person would have to read over 650 words a minute. That rate is simply impossible for any human, never mind any comprehension of what is read. 

I am also ashamed of the President for breaking so many campaign promises during the deliberation for this bill. He promised that new spending bills would be posted online for everyone to read for at LEAST 5 day. Yet this bill was post for barley 48 hours. We still don’t truly know what is hidden in this bill. He promised that republicans would always be invited to help author new spending bills, but republicans were shut out of all the comities that put the bill together. He promised to go through the national budget with a “scalpel” and cut all the programs that have been proven not to work. Instead now he increases the spending on those programs he promised to cut! But what I am more ashamed at is that you voted for it. How can you say that you represent those who elected you when you disrespect them by voting for a bill that you knew nothing about? It is simply despicable and pathetic. 

                You could have taken a stand to halt this bill until everyone had ample time to read it, but instead you went along with the herd and rushed it though. If this was such an emergency then why did the President wait till today to actually sign it in? Why wasn’t he ready with his pen in hand to sign it the moment it was finished printing? We already know the reason the House rushed the bill through. Speaker Pelosi just couldn’t miss her flight to Italy to receive an award (for something I doubt anyone knows or cares about). So it wasn’t because of our economic emergency. She wanted it passed as soon as possible so she could run off to Italy to stroke he ego. The antics of the congress just sicken me. I thought being a woman of the people, elected by the people you would have been different, and actually represented the feelings of your constituents. But I see now that I was wrong. 

                The bill will do nothing but harm our country. This exact same plan was tried in the mid 90’s in Japan with disastrous effects. They still have yet to recover, and is the reason they were hit so hard recently by the current economic climate. You and the rest of congress have sealed the same fate for America, and have begun our downward spiral toward a true depression. 

There have been many recessions in American history, much worse than this one. The times when America recovered quickest were when nothing was done by the government to correct it. Yet history also shows that times of economic downturn are only prolonged by government intervention. Why do you think that the country’s leading economic university professors signed a petition saying this simply won’t work? But you didn’t listen to them either. You truly have doomed us all. 

Thank you,

Cabe Lovlie

Natural born citizen of the United States, and defender of Her constitution

Recently I became extremely upset with this so called "stimulus" plan, and just couldn't take it anymore.  Now I know there isn't much I can do, but I can (at least for now) able to tell my senators (Patty Murry and Maria Cantwell in this case) how I feel.  And I am also able to tell them how I, as one of their constituents, feel.  I realize that they won't listen, much less read my letter, but I had to do something!  So I thought I would share my letter with you in hopes it would inspire at least one person to do the same.  I also received a "response" (which I am positive was either automated, or some intern) from the office of Sen. Murry.

The letter I sent:

Dear Senator,

Now is an extremely troubling time for our nation.  We as a country are going through the toughest financial crisis since the Carter administration.  Thousands of jobs are lost weekly, yet the best that the majority in our nation’s congress can come up with is a “bill” that has more pork in it then a can of Spam.  As one of your constituents, I am charging you with the task of saying NO!  Do not vote for this bill.  All it will do is doom our children and their children to decades of debt.  I, as a hard working citizen, do not want my government to place on me another $9000 dollars of debt.  Because that is all this will do, force onto every citizen another $9000 of debt to another country. 

This administration ran for election on the idea that it would bring change to the way our country is governed.  But all I have seen is the same old ideal of spend like there is no tomorrow, with no regard to what it will do to our children.  And the same message is being sent out by the leadership in our congress with this bill.  Speaker Pelosi just today trumpeted the idea that we cannot continue as a country without this bill.  She spoke about ushering in a new era of openness and bipartisanship, yet does everything she can to shut out anyone with an opposing idea. 

I implore you.  STOP THIS CYCLE OF SPENDING WITH OUT A PLAN!  There are real, proven methods of creating growth in our markets.  Spending without a plan, increasing taxes on all Americans, and printing billions in new money is not the answer.  These are the tactics that kept us in the Great Depression far longer then we should have. 

If you want answers, look to what Reagan did in the 1980’s.  Look at what he accomplished with the democratically controlled congress in the spirit of true bipartisanship.  All I ask is that you debate all ideas.  97% of this bill wouldn’t even be spent for a year.  THERE IS TIME!  Rushing into something only leads to strife and the regret that the wrong decisions were made.  Have a true debate, and decide on a plan that ALL sides can agree on.  LETS ACTUALLY PRACTICE THE DEMOCRACY THAT WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH IN PROTECTING FOR OTHER COUNTRIES!  JUST VOTE NO!

Sincerely,

Cabriel Lovlie,

Natural Born Citizen of the United States, and Defender of Her Constitution

And the response I received:

Dear Mr. Lovlie:

Thank you for contacting me regarding economic stimulus proposals. I appreciate hearing from you about this very important issue.

As a U.S. Senator, creating a strong economy and getting Americans back to work is my top priority, and I appreciate your input on what should be done to achieve these goals. I am currently working with my House and Senate colleagues as well as President Obama to move numerous measures designed to strengthen the economy. As we move forward, I strongly believe Congress and President Obama must work together in a bipartisan fashion to implement policies that will help stabilize the economy, create jobs, provide resources for workforce education and training programs, rebuild our nation's infrastructure, and help Americans facing hard economic times.

Be assured I will continue to work with my colleagues to address the many issues facing our economy and workforce. Thank you for sharing your ideas and concerns. Please feel free to contact me again, and I will keep your comments in mind.  

I hope all is well in Everett.

Like I said, I HIGHLY doubt that Sen. Murry actually wrote it, but I thought I would share it anyway. 

    

I really am getting worried sick thinking about all the conservatives who are contemplating backing Barack Obama in the up-coming election just to “stick-it” to McCain. Do these people honestly understand what they’re thinking of doing? Giving the election to Sen. Obama because they dislike some of what McCain is stands for. Even main stream conservatives such as Ann Coulter are already giving their public vote to which ever candidate wins the Democratic nomination. She has even said that she believes Hillary would be tougher on the War on Terror then McCain. The people who have said that they are going to vote for Obama keep saying that the liberals will cause the country enough problems that the people will vote for a conservative in 2012, ala Carter. But what they are failing to grasp is how bad the country will truly be after those four years. Just look at how badly Pres. Bush has damaged federal spending in just four short years. His liberal-esc spending habits have all but obliterated the economic stability that Republicans like Reagan, Gingrich, and yes even McCain fought so hard to secure during the 80’s and 90’s. Even Bill Clinton didn’t do as much damage. And now conservatives who feel disenfranchised are so upset that they want to elect Obama to slap those who nominated McCain in the face. They’re so filled with rage that they will not listen to what McCain has to say. With regards to the Bush tax cuts (that he has stated he will sign into law), that he has apologized for the McCain/Kennedy amnesty bill and realizes that the people want a secure border first, and the list goes on. Doesn’t that sound like another sector of the American populace?  So blinded by hatred and closed-mindedness that they will not listen to reason, or someone else’s point of view. At least with McCain you know what you are getting. He wears his ideals on his shoulder. With the Democratically controlled congress, Obama would have the ability to pass whatever fascistic mandates he pleases. Every socialist program he wants enacted would have an almost completely clear path into law. The only road block he would encounter would be the Supreme Court, that is until he was able to appoint a new judge.  There is even the possibility, no matter how remote, that he could bring about a Chaves like reformation to the process of picking our president, the left is already enamored with Chaves and Castro. I don’t believe this will happen, but no one can say it is outside of the realm of possibility. All I ask of anyone considering voting for Obama is this; Are you truly willing to accept the consequences of giving the election to Obama. Is your dislike for McCain so strong that you would jeopardize our way of life.