Monday, December 17, 2012

Time for Congress to Get to Work

If you haven't already, read this and this, two thoughtful posts from my blogging friends about the recent school shooting.

My four-year-old has lockdown drills routinely at his preschool - preschool.  My eleven-year-old has an on-site police officer at his school (and apparently they need one).  My daughter was friends with a boy that murdered his girlfriend and then killed himself perhaps because of some comments (really mean comments) on Facebook.  That happened last year, but I know it feels to her like it just happened and will always feel that way.

Yesterday morning, I wrote my senators and representative asking them to actually do something.  I let them know gun control and easier access to mental health services matters to me and my kids.  I told them they need to work on the fiscal cliff issue and stop playing games.  I told the Republicans on my email list that I will never again vote for any Republican (despite the fact I'm a registered Republican) until they change their attitude toward women and gay people.   

I also asked them to get to work - working two days a week when the country is a hot mess is unacceptable.  Are they accepting only 2/5 of their paycheck? 

My husband and I agree on few things political - but we do agree on this:  Congress should do their job.  They should go to their office and work overtime until they have sensible resolutions to our country's problems.  If they don't show up for work, they shouldn't get paid.

To get the contact information for your senators, go here:  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

For your rep, go here:  http://www.house.gov/.

Please take a moment to express yourself to Congress to let them know we are watching - sort of like 1984 but in reverse.

14 comments:

  1. And the only way they will change anything is if we make ourselves heard. Good for you for sending those messages.

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  2. Thanks for the links! The point of democracy is that it's supposed to work by the will of the people. The People need to remember they're the ones who are supposed to be in charge. When we just shrug and do nothing, we can't expect anything to change.

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  3. Hi Tonja. I don't live in the States so can't do much, but it's difficult for me to understand how people have so many guns (or any guns at all, in fact) in the house. I did wonder why no-one noticed how odd that boy was behaving, but maybe it's that global reaction, "it's nothing to do with me". Terrible news that's affected everyone and moved so many to tears.

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  4. Wonderful links Tonja. Yeah our country is in one hot mess. I truly love this post and will be drafting a letter myself today.

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  5. Thanks for putting up those links Tonja. It's so important for people to contact their representation to make sure their opinions are heard.

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  6. You know they'll all leave for the holidays before anything gets done. Parties to go to, you know. Fundraising that must be done. Those seem to be their only priorities.

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  7. Well stated, Tonja. These people were in our faces a few weeks ago, even spam-calling our homes, wanting us to vote for them. Now where are they?

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  8. Well stated, Tonja. These people were in our faces a few weeks ago, even spam-calling our homes, wanting us to vote for them. Now where are they?

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  9. Good for you, and thanks for sharing the links. Just the fact that there are lockdown drills at a preschool makes me feel sick.

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  10. Love this. I'm adding a link to this post to my post on BlogHer about ways we can make our voices be heard. Thanks for doing this, Tonja.

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  11. Strange how we never had a fiscal cliff issue until the last couple years.

    I'm a Republican, but I wish they would do away with the parties. We get a mix like we have now, House and Senate opposing, and all it means in nothing gets done.

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  12. Thanks for the call to action, Tonja. I've been sick to my stomach since last Friday. We have to remember our power as Americans, that we should be telling the chicks and dudes in government what we want and need. We can't let this horror and helpless feeling make us forget that we have voices, and if we cry loud enough, we'll be heard.
    Some Dark Romantic

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  13. I don't see how anyone could disagree with that. The rest of us have to work overtime when clients or our bosses demand it. Well, aren't the politicians supposed to be working for us?

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