My Letter to US Senator Patty Murray (On Iraq Occupation)

[cenacle]

Dear Senator Murray,

Since none of you in Washington are listening to anyone outside of the Beltway, take a look at the poll of your local paper there:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... ews&sub=AR

The country is angry and restless and disappointed. Democrats swept in on a tide of hope, and have failed to live up to promises made and expectations raised. Your party has all but lost the liberal base, and the prospects for the 2008 elections look far grimmer than they should.

It is time to end the Occupation. Not in September, not when your Republican colleagues come around, and everyone can hold hands and do it together. It is time to end it now. I assure you that it is not in Bush-Cheney's interests to do so, as they do not yet have their oil sharing agreement, nor have they abandoned their plan for invading Iran and taking their oil too.

I have respected your politics in the past. I would like to think well of you again. Unlike your Washington State colleague, Senator Cantwell, you are generally well-regarded by progressives in Washington State. If she does not move to the left where her constituency is, she will not serve long in the Senate. But you may, and I hope you do. At least I did, and hope to again.

The Occupation of Iraq is a crime against humanity, against the world, and you are now participating in it with your latest vote. I urge you to put aside your career interests, your pollsters, your big money doners, and look again at the pictures and read the accounts of what has been done in the United States' name over there. And I hope never to hear again that you have used any pathetic excuse for continuing that situation for a single hour longer than it takes to pull American troops out. As of your latest vote, the blood of the dead and wounded is now all over your hands.

Sincerely,
[RS]
Seattle, Washington

[laughingwillow]

That is strong letter, imo. Get's right to point. Even a freaking politician should be able to grasp that message of truth.

lw

[laughingwillow]

Matter of fact, I urge you to consider drafting a generic example that could be used by anyone wishing to broach this subject with their elected officials.

lw

[cenacle]

Dear [Congress Person's Name],

Since none of you in Washington are listening to anyone outside of the Beltway, take a look at the poll of your local paper there:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... ews&sub=AR

The country is angry and restless and disappointed. Democrats swept in on a tide of hope, and have failed to live up to promises made and expectations raised. Your party has all but lost the liberal base, and the prospects for the 2008 elections look far grimmer than they should.

It is time to end the Occupation. Not in September, not when more of your war-advocating colleagues come around, and everyone can hold hands and do it together. It is time to end it now. I assure you that it is not in Bush-Cheney's interests to do so, as they do not yet have their oil sharing agreement, nor have they abandoned their plan for invading Iran and taking their oil too.

The Occupation of Iraq is a crime against humanity, against the world, and you are now participating in it with your latest vote. I urge you to put aside your career interests, your big money doners, and look again at the pictures and read the accounts of what has been done in the United States' name over there.

And I hope never to hear again that you have used any pathetic excuse for continuing that situation for a single hour longer than it takes to pull American troops out. When you vote to fund the Occupation, the blood of the dead and wounded stains your hands permanently.

Sincerely,
[Writer's Name]
[Town, State]

[cenacle]

LW,

Thanks, I was pretty pissed by a note I got from her, going on and on rationalizing her vote. It ended: "I hope all is well in Seattle."

Then this morning I saw that Post poll. I was writing to her when I should have been going to work! Had to run to get there on time!

I edited my letter to exclude non-relevant comments for a generic version. The above sample presumes one is writing to a Democratic congress person. Tweak it if writing to a Republican or Independent.

Find contact information at:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/