Participate in the Process

I sent the following letter to my Congressman today. I'm publishing as is...typos and all (hopefully there aren't any). I think it's important that we let our representatives know how we feel, especially on matters like Health Care Reform.

Please consider writing similar letters to your Representative. If they don't hear our voices, they can claim ignorance. At least this way they know how we feel. Also, I think we need to try to be respectful. If we are respectful, it's harder to dismiss us out of hand. I heard today that the house will vote Friday (11/6).

"I am writing you today to urge you to vote against the Health Care Reform Bill current making its way through Congress. My understanding is that the vote will be this Friday (11/6).

I'm going to be completely honest with you. I do not agree with you on much from a political standpoint. But you are my representative, and I want you to know my opinion.

I am an Engineer at a prominent company within your district, and this health care plan will negatively affect me and my family. But, I'm sure that, for every person I can name who will be negatively affected by this bill, supporters can name 1 person who will be positively effected. So I will not take this approach with you.

Instead, I'd like to discuss this as a matter of principle. I think you are a man of principle, so even though we disagree on many things, I believe you and I can agree on some things.

As a matter of principle, this health care bill is wrong. A recent Rasmussen poll shows that 54% of the American people oppose this health care reform bill, while only 42% favor it. While I understand that the Republic form of government allows for the government to go against the will of the people, that should only be used for matters of national security. If this were an election, it would be a landslide against this bill.

This health care bill is 2000 pages long. I understand that once the bill is finalized, 72 hours will be given to read it before the vote. I'm sure you are a better reader than me, but 72 hours to fully comprehend what you are voting on when it is 2000 pages long is not possible. As your constituent, I expect you to be fully informed on whatever you vote to support. Anything less would be wrong.

Finally, this health care bill helps no one until 2013. There are steps that could be taken today that would help countless Americans that don't have health insurance, and don't take 2000 pages to spell out. We can all agree that the pre-existing condition laws need to be changed. That could be addressed today. We can all agree that allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines needs to be changed. That could happen today. Rather than go for sweeping reform in 4 years, lets take steps today towards real reform, not another massive government bureaucracy that may or may not solve the problem

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please consider this when you cast your vote on this issue."