An Open Letter to Congressman Burgess
By Stephen Webster
Investigative Reporter
For: The News Connection
Publication date: April 28, 2006
An Open Letter to Congressman Burgess
Dear Congressman Burgess,
As you probably know, your constituents are going through a tough time. Gas prices have reached an insane level, and it only looks to get worse as the summer hums along. Likewise, energy prices are soaring, and the rolling blackouts will only continue while market deregulation is up for grabs this November. Arguably the largest voting block in this state, our Latino brothers and sisters, are getting fed up with the Republican rhetoric about how they are criminals, even if many did nothing wrong at all. Likewise, we have completely neglected our borders in this, a very unstable time.
Looking over your list of contributors, one cannot help but wonder what it is like to enjoy the support of today’s Reigning Oligarchs. Corporations like TXU, AT&T, Pfizer and General Electric are not your constituents, nor do they represent any of those who reside in your district. Despite this, your War Chest is full of their dollars; your head full of their agendas; your votes directed by their financial interests.
Why, think of it! Touting “Conservative Values” will get you only so far. Big talk requires bold action, yet you voted for the Bush Budget, which authorized the accumulation of the most debt in the history of all this nation’s presidents, combined. With the passage of this deceptive bill, we, the citizens, are responsible for paying in excess of $30,000 per person. In the words of the Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery, “Billions more for war, but no more for the poor!”
You voted for President Bush’s “Medicare Part D” program, which caused over a dozen Governors in this nation to announce states of emergency because so many people were unable to get their prescriptions. Is that why Pfizer gave you so much money? So they can sell drugs at a higher price? Even our own Governor, who I am not so fond of, did the right thing and sued those who give your marching orders over this treacherous plot to hurt our most vulnerable.
Certainly you are aware of the ethics rules surrounding donations to congressional campaigns. One time contributions of up to, but not exceeding, $1,000 are allowable. Why then, did you give Tom DeLay’s Congressional Committee not one, but two $2,000 donations? And then, ON THE SAME DAY, you kicked an extra $5,000 for Tom DeLay’s “Legal Defense Trust.”
Don’t you know that he lobbied on behalf of the child labor and sex trades in the
But let’s get to the core issues here, Doctor. Those who normally support you, in our beautiful corner of
Please forgive me if I’m mistaken, but Christians follow the teachings of Christ, right? They still have it set up like that, last I checked. So, bear with me for a moment while I recall what many consider Christ at his most political. Let us dig up a few key passages from The Sermon on the Mount, shall we? Allow me to paraphrase from the New King James version …
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. You shall not commit murder. But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. You cannot serve God and wealth. In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the law of the prophets. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell – and great was its fall.”
Be aware, Congressman. The rainy season has only just begun.
Mahalo.
