Letter to Congressmen

The current budget debate on Capitol Hill concerns me closely.

Part of the discussion taking place involves the funding/defunding of Medicare and Social security. Normally, I would not be interested in these two portions of the budgetary discussion. However, in light of my health and the future involvement of both Medicare and Social Security, I felt it was imperative that I make my position/concerns known to my *Senators.
My letter:

Senator      ,

I am writing due to my personal interest in the ongoing health care/Medicare/SS debate. In Sept 2009 I was diagnosed with late Stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease. In the time since, I have entered End stage, and now await the final drop in kidney function to begin dialysis, get placed on the national transplant list, and await life-saving kidney transplantation.

The ongoing Congressional budget debate concerns me greatly as my very future is tied up in the programs currently under budgetary review. I have no insurance, and until I start dialysis, I am accumulating bills that I cannot pay. Being on dialysis will allow me to receive Medicare benefits and will pay a majority of the costs to maintain my life. Once an organ becomes available, Medicare will pick up the costs of the transplant, as well as the required anti-rejection meds for three full years.

However, should the Medicare program be defunded, my personal ability to receive dialysis (let alone a transplant) is in serious jeopardy. Additionally, I am currently going through the process to receive early SS benefits as I am unable to work due to the nature and advancement of the kidney disease, and would remain on this until such time as I am able to work at a job.

I am not alone in the need for these programs to remain intact and fully funded. This issue concerns millions of Americans in every constituency across the country.  While many are concerned and only await the outcome, I am taking the time to write and plead for the programs currently threatened by budget cuts (Medicare, Social Security, and Health care in general) to remain a part of upcoming budgets, funded as is needed by the people that are depending on these programs for their health and well-being.

I fully realize that the country is in a financial crisis. There are no easy answers, and there exist numerous departments and programs that also desperately need proper funding.  But the monies available are also finite, and burdensome to a majority of the taxpayers. I can only suggest that we were once, not so long ago, well on our way to a balanced national budget. We did it before, and this country can do it again with Education, Medicare, Social Security and Infrastructure budgets remaining intact. Let that goal be the driving force towards the financial prosperity this country needs. Let the resiliency, innovation and determination of the American people return the United States to a prominent place amongst the world’s leaders of economic, educational and industrial standings. To that end, stand up and lead us, the people, towards that goal.

In the meantime, I plead once again that the programs that I desperately need remain funded and available; not only for me, but for millions of other Americans who have no other recourse to turn to.

Thank You for your time, and for your consideration on this matter.

As with every letter I write to both the Utah Senators, I do not expect a response. These men are incredibly busy with their innumerable daily responsibilities. But thus far, I have received a personal response to every letter written.

As I've stated before, writing may not make a huge difference; but if millions write and make their views known then change will occur by the sheer force of the will of the people. So please, if this issue concerns you, then write, call or email your Senator a/o House rep. Speak up and let them know your opinion on this and any other subject which concerns you!




*I'd write my House rep; but every time I do he, without fail, returns obvious party rhetoric rather than addressing any concerns I might have. Not once have I received a reply from Rep. Jason Chaffetz that had anything even remotely resembling an answer to my correspondence. He seems to care more about pleasing his party masters than for the concerns of his constituency. Hence, my decision to exclude him from this particular correspondence.

TSA's Body Language Profiling

Today, a story emerged that the TSA (our beloved Homeland security Agency) is conducting visual profiling of passengers waiting in the lines of our nation's airports. They are looking for "suspicious behaviors," whatever that is supposed to encompass. I'm sure this new security measure is in other public places as the TSA is so eager to assure the security of American everywhere! (OK, that last sentence was rife with sarcasm; but you get my point.)

I replied on a couple of boards to the various comments those focused solely on how safe we have become because the TSA is a great entity that "benefits all Americans," as one respondent wrote.

The following are my two comments...

"We are witnessing the evolution of a police state right here in the USA; and no one is raising any alarms that our civil rights are being tossed aside in favor of so-called "security measures" that supposedly stop terrorists. Yeah, right. Groping the elderly, children and the handicapped (and everyone else) in the name of security really makes sense. Now, every person that travels via airplanes has to check their body language for fear they'll be singled out? This is asinine!

Every civil rights group in this country should be fighting the TSA and their advocates. Instead, it seems like everyone is rolling over and allowing the blatant abuses of our Constitutionally guaranteed rights. We, as a nation, are literally falling off the proverbial slippery slope."


"Every time the TSA institutes a new "security measure," terrorists who seek the destruction of the United States are one step closer to achieving their agendas. After all, these groups use terror in order to make everyone afraid. Their goal is to bring about the changes they want by cowing governments and citizenry into a stance of fear.

Historically, terrorism as a political movement, has never achieved so much as it has since 9/11 and Gee Dubya Bushie's establishment of the very Nazi sounding, Homeland Security Agency.

Right now, the TSA has instilled that same fear into nearly a majority of US citizens by instituting their so-called "security measures" and telling us we'll all safer now than before these things were in place. Cameras are everywhere; profiling is in high gear; Americans are patted down and assumed to be criminals without a shred of proof; personal belongings are searched without warrant at every airport in the country, etc, etc, etc.

Yeah...we're safer...right...and the terrorist organizations are closer to winning every day without doing anything that would be considered a terrorist act."

**My last comment was posted thirty minutes ago, and I have yet to have anyone disagree with or refute my comments.**

Please, if you're alarmed by the thing the TSA is doing, then write to your elected officials in DC and tell them of your displeasure with the TSA and its policies. I write to my Senator and House rep at least four times a year on this one matter alone. Remember, these folks in every level of government work for US! It is therefore up to each of US to speak out and make our voices heard in order to bring about the positive changes that will 'right the ship,' so to say.

Subsidizing Big Oil?

Over the past two weeks the cost of oil on the world markets has increased dramatically due (supposedly) to the internal conflicts of several Middle Eastern countries; currently, Lybia is the NYSE excuse scapegoat. The message boards are aflame with anger at the sudden run-up in the price per gallon of gasoline. Oil, which hasn't yet been delivered to US refineries, is the reasoning behind the sudden increases. As of today, gas has gone up 0.33 cents over the last two weeks.

In responding, I again made a call for Americans to write their Congressional Reps (both Houses) to end Big Oil subsidies and put that same money towards clean alternative energy research. My Response...

"This whole run-up is entirely about money--money for Big Oil, Foreign Powers, NYSE Trading Houses, Elite Oil Investors and certain current and former politicians whose fortunes were built on oil. No one else benefits. Certainly not the average American consumer.

I've read a number of posts today referring to the subsidies given by the US Govt to Big Oil, as if Big Oil couldn't survive without them. Well, I've previously postulated that we need to press our politicians to eliminate subsidies to Big Oil, and put the same $$ towards alternative energy research and job development.

Such spending could very well be the catalyst for the next great American industrial revolution. Untold numbers of jobs would be created, Big Oils' grip on the US would be over, our environment would be cleaner, and energy would be cheaper. How is this a bad thing?

THAT should be our focus--not subsidizing absurdlywealthy CEO's, Foreign Princes, Oil Traders, etc. It's time for America to stand up and say, "Enough!" Let's work towards clean energy Independence, and put the United States atop the world once again as a beacon of hope, change and economic leadership."

As previously, I have gotten zero replies or support for such an idea. I guess everyone is too busy whining to take the time and think about solutions.

Accountability vs. College Athletics

Yesterday, BYU suspended its starting Center of the men's basketball team for the remainder of the season citing an unspecified Honor Code violation. With just two conference games remaining before the conference tourney and then the NCAA Tournament, the 3rd ranked Cougars could not have had this happen at a worse time. Without their starting Center, many observers doubt BYU's ability to go deep into the NCAA's.

When news of the suspension broke the sports message boards became inflammed with hatred towards BYU and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The intolerance, misinformation and pure, disgusting hatred being written simply turned my stomach. To say I was appalled or aghast doesn't even come close. Instead of commenting on the basketball ramifications for BYU, this was turned into an anti-Mormon rant that thousands of people fell into.Well, I didn't read too many posts because of the vitriol being vomited by these supposed sports fans.

I wrote the following response to the Deseret News:

"No one should judge Davies about his Honor Code violation. These athletes are under intense pressure and scrutiny. Non-athletic students would likely fold under the same circumstances.
Also, no one should jump all over BYU for this development. Brandon Davies agreed to abide by the rules when he accepted his scholarship. He infracted the rules, and is being held accountable. It's a tough lesson to learn; but an incredibly valuable one.
Too bad most basketball fans [clearly] have no grasp on the concept of personal accountability. Otherwise, the sports boards yesterday wouldn't have been filled with ridicule and hostility towards BYU and the LDS Church for the decision to suspend Davies just before the start of the NCAA Touney."

There is a lot of money, national prestige and recruiting power on the line for BYU. This move could very well damage their ability to draw national recruits and national TV exposure in the coming years. In enforcing the University Honor Code, BYU has risen above the detritus of the naysayers and is standing by its commitment to prepare its students for a life of success on every level. Sometimes, that preparation comes in terms of mistakes and lessons learned.

We all make mistakes; but no one is above reproach, nor below the ability to learn from a mistake and then rise above that mistake and become a better person for what they have learned. Davies will, if he learns properly, rise out of this dark hour and become a better man not just for his potential career, but for the rest of his life, in all its various aspects.

Truancy Laws Gone Too Far

In Provo, UT a law is being considered that would criminalize truant youth and children should they be caught off campus or away from their schooling during school hours. This law would also require adults to call the city police to report violators. The intent behind the considered law is to confront the growing gang issue in this central Utah city.
All of the reader responses prior to my submission were filled with shock; and many feared the repercussions pertaining to home schooled children and youth, and how ridiculous it would be to arrest six year-olds and give them a police record just for being on the city streets during school hours. Some of the respondents even went into a 'Police State, Socialism' rant that was entirely counterproductive to any serious discussion. Yesterday I wrote the following response to the article in the Deseret News:

"First of all, the city is looking for ways to fight increasing gang activity. This idea isn't the smartest, I'll give you that; but to jump way ahead and feign horror at children being arrested is not only foolish, it's downright ridiculous.
Instead of being offended at the "potential" of this proposal, why don't you form community meetings to brainstorm legitimate ideas to address the issue, present them to the school board (leaving the city govt out of the discussion), then both sides work to find viable solutions.
The answer to this lies not in legislation, but in a cooperative effort between the community and the school district. It seems, after all, that most parents are feeling like their voice is lost--and it has somewhat, because they now complain loudly but never step up and start grassroot efforts to challenge school officials, city leaders etc. So stop complaining and step up! Become a leader who enacts change!
And JMT (a respondent on this board), please leave your "1984" scare tactics out and present an intelligent, thoughtful discussion that goes beyond an 'I'm right, you're wrong' mentality that only seeks to instill fear and remove rational thought. "

Of the eighteen responses after mine, not a single one commented on the merits of my proposal; instead continuing the fear-mongering that all of the earlier posts had provided. Since there was no rational thought amongst the lot, I decided to write another response today.

"RE: JMT "Two kids fighting over a remote; the wishbone from Thanksgiving turkey; candy at Christmas; who saw Lagoon first; playing fetch with the dog; Grandpas attention, etc..."

This type of thinking is irresponsible. It seeks only to create fear and suspicion.
Please, leave the addressing of community and national issues to the adults because clearly, individuals such as this only want to make us afraid without offering any sort of leadership that might help us all to climb off of the slippery slope this nation now finds itself upon.

If you're concerned about issues and law-making, write, call or email your elected representatives at every level! Make sure you take part in the electoral system we all enjoy. Start community efforts to enact change. Do something!--Because doing nothing but complaining gets us nowhere."

So far, I have not gotten any retort.

Super Bowl National Anthem?

Yesterday was the Super Bore--I mean, Super Bowl. My family was asked by close friends to watch the game with them, so I actually saw this yearly snooze-fest. Anyway, the National Anthem was sung this year by pop singer Christina Aguilera. When I say that the song was 'sung,' I actually mean to say that it was murdered.

First, Aguilera forgot a number of words--a total botch job. Second, in her effort to put a personal signature on the National Anthem, Aguilera absolutely murdered the melody. What I recognize as the songs' melody was nowhere to be found. Aguilera was constantly changing notes; jumping around so much that the melody, that the whole world was expecting to hear, was not included. I heard a few of the correct words, and a whole lot of musical garbage that was supposedly our National Anthem.

The message boards today are aflame with biting criticism of Aguilera. Nearly every comment and story I've read was critical of this pop diva--and rightly so. Aguilera should be embarrassed by her effort that was delivered to a world wide audience. I personally feel that she should apologize to America for the botched job.

Instead, after fleeing Dallas--the site of Super Bore 45--for her home base of La La Land, Aguilera actually defended her performance stating that she thought she did a good job.

...WOW!...

I don't know who is telling her that the performance was a thing to be proud of; but they should be fired. Missed words, missing melody and plain wrong words are never a reason to celebrate...ESPECIALLY when it is from "singing" the National Anthem of the United States.

I sure wish the Super Bore Committee and the NFL would insist on a proper and acurate rendition of the song that represents the Pride, Strength and Unity of our Nation, its People and its History.

Gee! Dubya Bushie Says "No More politics."

I read a story today on AOL in which former (good riddance!) President Gee! Dubya Bushie stated that he was done with politics of any kind. No campaigning, no fundraising, etc.
I absolutely HAD to respond! ;o)

Gee! Dubya Bushie was done with politics well before he even took (stole) the office of US President. He is an idiot of the first degree who left this country in shambles.

The Constitution is hanging by a thread because of the Patriot Act, Americans are looked at as criminals by the TSA (a bunch of F'n Nazi bastards, as one relative puts it), freedom from government oversight is very nearly a thing of the past, the country is in so much debt that China may end up owning it lock, stock and barrel, and the off-shoring of jobs absolutely devastated the economy.

And that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg!

Gee! Dubya Bushie can keep his mouth closed. He will go down as the President who led the country to the brink of destruction when all is said and done.

We will be lucky to recapture the true spirit that the Founding Fathers wanted for the United States...*Freedom, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

(*That would be Freedom OF, not Freedom from!)

Letter to My Congressional Representatives--A Reply

I received the following reply [to my latest letter to my Congressional Reps] last week. It is from Sen. Orrin Hatch.

"Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns with airport security and your opposition to body scanners being used to enhance security at some of our nation's airports I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may be aware, threats against our nation's air transportation networks have evolved over time. In response, the screening technologies we rely on to identify and counter these threats must evolve as well. Over the next several years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will likely face continuing challenges to address projected growth in passenger airline travel while maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of passenger screening operations.

One of the real benefits of improved and advanced technology will hopefully be a dramatic reduction in the extensive labor force now deployed by the TSA to secure our nation's airports. As you know, the labor and money required to secure the airports is significant and appropriate advancements to reduce this labor force and make the screening process more affordable and efficient would be a welcome step to most taxpayers.
While security is of paramount importance, individual privacy also needs to be protected. As such, the bill requires TSA to continue to protect consumers' privacy by prohibiting the transfer or retention of any body images and requiring remote screening for any personally identifying images. I will continue to support the TSA in improving their privacy protection efforts.

Rest assured. I am working day and night to implement policies that will make Utah and our great nation a peaceful, prosperous, safe and lawful place to live. i appreciate your comments and suggestions and look forward to working towards a solution to this issue that you will find acceptable and in line with your interests.

Your Senator,
Orrin G. Hatch United States Senator"


I sincerely appreciate the Senator's response. He could very well have done as my House Rep did...which was nothing. At the very least, my US Senator knows my thoughts and concerns regarding the TSA and its obvious abuses against US citizens, and the unconstitutional measures it employs on a daily basis.

Again, I encourage each of you to make a habit of writing your Congressional Representatives; both in the House and in the Senate. If you fail to raise your voice then nothing will change, and we will continue to edge closer, as a nation, to the proverbial abyss that awaits us all if the Constitution and the Bill of Rights continue to be both ignored and trampled upon by the very men and women we send to DC to represent each one of us both individually and collectively.

Please...write, email, call, vote, speak out! If not you, then who? Who will speak your mind and voice your concerns? It is your responsibility as a citizen of the United States to raise your voice both in support of, and opposition to, the men and women who lead our great nation so that they continue to lead and guide us in a manner befitting all those who have brought us thus far. Please...Speak out!