Here's my letter to my Congresspeople about Netanyahu's visit next week. [View all]

[rgbecker]

Copy and paste if you like, and send it to your guys. Or better yet, write your own. Hey, go easy on the edits...it's just an idea. Please.



Dear Senator Markey,

I’m hoping you will not attend the political rally for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that house speaker John Boehner has scheduled for next week in the halls of Congress. I know you know there are many other pressing issues to attend to. I know you realize attending such a gathering, which is designed to undermine President Obama’s and Secretary Kerry’s efforts to keep Iran from building a nuclear weapon in a way that does not involve use of our military in the middle east, would not be in our country’s best interest.

Instead of spending the time listening to Netanyahu denigrate President Obama I suggest you spend the time working with your senate colleagues to accomplish some basic things for your state’s citizens. Here are some ideas.

1. Make sure there are emergency funds available immediately to continue the fuel assistance activities for people who are seriously being impacted by the extreme weather conditions we have had in Massachusetts.
2. Work to establish a coalition of lawmakers who can get some movement to address the impact of increased CO2 in the atmosphere which may very well be causing these extreme weather conditions.
3. Work to strengthen Social Security by raising the income level subject to social security and self employment tax to include incomes up to $250,000 instead of just to $118,500. The sooner this is accomplished, the sooner the social security trust funds will be strengthened to weather the predicted change in the nation’s demographics.
4. Work to remove the tax loophole that allows traders of securities to pay only the favorable capital gains tax rate rather than the usual income tax rate especially when it clear this income is derived not from investment activities but rather simply trading activities. Seriously consider a transaction tax on security trading.
5. Work to pass an infrastructure funding bill that will upgrade our bridges and roads, public transportation options and green energy production. This will pump money into the economy at a level which may reach workers sooner than waiting for the GOP's trickle to start.

The list is endless and that should tell you wasting your time attending a rally for a foreign country’s prime minister would not look good to those who have supported you in your work for your constituents.

Yours,