Outraged American

[buckettgirl]

I am writing a letter to the editor of my local paper. I think ALL!! of you should do the same. I don't care what you say, just express outrage - but do it intelligently. Write something to make people think. You all speak (write) so well and intelligently in here. The problem is that for the most part WE in DU are all upset and outraged and agree about the generalities and how stupid people are for voting for *; but what good does that do us when other people don't hear it. Use those qualities and speak up for us, around the country, outside of DU.
I feel that I am only one person and I can't do much - but I can do this. I am certain that I can get at least 1 or 2 people to question their values and their motives, and that is better than sitting here doing nothing and whining about it.
I am sending this letter to the editor of my local paper:

I guess Americans don't want jobs. Or freedom. Or tolerance. I am absolutely flabbergasted. This country will fall apart thanks to the actions and ignorance of those who voted. I checked CNN.com and it showed in Ellis County that Bush won: 7,683 to 3,938; in percentages: 65% to 33%. I want to know why you didn't vote for John Kerry. I deserve to know why you didn’t vote for change. When I have my financial aid taken away because of Bush's policies, are you going to pay for me to finish college? When my husband gets drafted, can I point my finger and blame you? How about when my grandparents suffer because they can't afford to live or buy prescriptions, are you going to help them then? Or suppose my husband and I find out that we will have a baby with severe genetic birth defects that will leave it with no quality of life: after you have taken away my reproductive rights, will you be there to adopt it and to pay for the lifelong medical expenses?

What was it that you didn't understand? WAKE UP! The policies of the current administration greatly impact ordinary, everyday working class citizens: YOU!!! It hurts you and me and everyone we know.

How many trips have you had to cancel because you can't afford the current gas prices? I have. I have to car-pool to school because of gas prices.

What will you say when you or one of your children get drafted? Point the finger at yourself, you sent them. Don't fool yourself into thinking there won't be a draft. The current state of our armed forces and Bush's war doctrine demand a draft, in fact there probably should already be one.

How many of you can't stand it when a Jehovah's Witness comes to your door to talk about religion? If you don't like religion shoved down your throat, why would you do it to someone else? I am not Christian, but I am spiritual. I don't want Christian "values" imposed upon me because you say that's how it is. I want separation of church and state because no religion should rule a country. I also want religious freedom – for myself, and other religions, even Islam – because that is why America exists.

I’ve heard that many people around the country voted on morality. Did you vote for morality? I would like to know how that’s possible; and I am sure the innocent civilians in Iraq would like to know why you think genocide is moral. Can you explain to me how bigotry is moral too? Homosexuals are people like me and you. They deserve to be treated like Americans with American rights. Moral people do not stand for hypocrisy, discrimination, and intolerance. But you voted for this, too.

During the next four years; when you lose your job, when gas hits $3.00/gallon, when your child is sent to fight overseas, when you lose reproductive rights, when you can't buy prescriptions or afford a doctor’s visit, when minimum wage doesn't keep a roof over your head, when America is attacked again: DON'T BLAME ME; I voted for change. This is what you wanted; this is what you voted for. You could have helped yourself and others like us; saved jobs, financial aid, health care, stopped the war and brought our troops home, etc. Instead you chose to look the other way; to pretend that it isn't really that bad, to shove it under the rug so you don't have to look at it. Now you have only yourself to blame.
Amanda Mitchell
11/04/04
Plainville, KS

[Bjornsdotter]

1. There are too many wack-a-loons...

...out there. You may want to edit and remove your name.

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

[buckettgirl]

3. can't

i don't intend to censor my opinions, and our local paper will only print as long as there is a name/address/phone number.
I posted my name here because I am not ashamed of what I think and of what I wrote.
It is meant to push buttons. I don't care if what "they" think. I don't care if they hate me. The fanatic RWingers can say whatever they want about us with no thought of who they upset. I think we should do the same, except with statements that are fact-based, not religious based.
I encourage everyone to do what I am doing. Express the sentiments of your fellow liberals/democrats. If you don't speak out, then what? Lie there like you are helpless dog being kicked when it is down? I won't do that because I am better than that, and I urge you do the same and speak out.
I do know there are wacky, freaky, anger, fear-mongering people who will probably want to kill me...but I'll take the chance...thank you for your concern though

[Bjornsdotter]

4. Speaking out....

...been there, done that, still doing it.

However posting your name on the internet can have ramifications....obviously you are aware of them and that is all that matters.

Take care,
Kim :hug:

[GOPBasher]

2. Good job! You're much braver than I.

And welcome to DU. :hi: We're all as outrages as you are over here. :-)

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. I wrote one encouraging people to fight for election reform

No more BBV!

--------------------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[barb162]

6. great letter and I think I will do the same

[CaptainCorc]

7. It's a good letter....

except for the part where you demand to know why people voted for Bush. Secret balloting means never having to account for your vote and as much as we'd like to grill people about why they voted the way that they did, doing it makes us look like some kind of Gestapo which is something we should all try to avoid.

There's certainly nothing wrong with the confrontational tone of your letter. I'm only suggesting you edit out the part that makes you sound like you want every Bush voter to write and tell you why they voted as they did. Many of them would be only too happy to let you know and it could grow tiresome very fast. Others would be only to happy to remind you that the cornerstone of democracy is the secret ballot and that only a ______________ (Nazi, Commie...you fill in the blank) would demand to know how a person voted and why they voted that way.

Please believe me when I tell you I agree with your anguish. I know of a couple Bush voters (I lead a very sheltered life) who've shared their reasons for voting for him and you will find it very depressing when I tell you that their rationale was extremely superficial. But there is hope in that because it means those people (and I'm sure there are many of them) are persuadable if we refrain from insulting them, belittling them and demanding that they atone.

Tell them of your fears and your disappointment. Many Bush voters will relish that, but some--the ones who are persuadable--might begin to be persuaded. If you demand and insult you will delight the resolute and alienate the persuadable.

I sincerely wish you well and support you in your effort to be heard and offer these ideas only as suggestions.

[buckettgirl]

8. i don't disagree with you

You make some very valid points. I do agree with you in many respects.
I also look at this as a rhetorical letter. Of course I don't expect anyone to answer me. It is only meant to make them think. To instill in their minds that, yes, their decision will do things to hurt regular people, even themselves. I think that writing it on such a personal level will make a strong point. My hope is maybe some people (of course they must first understand what a rhetorical question is, lol) will realize that this stuff doesn't happen to "other" people, it happens to us. If they can look at it as their child/brother/sister/friend/neice/nephew/etc...could have been the one to write it, then maybe they will be able to see things in another way. I don't expect much, really. I will never know what kind of an impact it had. But I will have peace of mind knowing that at least I'm trying to be heard. I do feel that if I can reach one or two people, then I have still done my duty to fight for my country. Perhaps those 1 or 2 persons will pass it along and affect more people's ways of thinking.
I do know that if we all try this, it won't hurt us. It takes more than just me to write a letter for change to occur. That is why I have posted this and am encouraging anyone who sees this to speak out, often.
I do thank you for your insight and encourage you to do what you feel necessary to incite change.

[CaptainCorc]

9. A rhetorical demand can get messy :)

...but I understand what you mean. Still it is entirely possible that if you couch your demand in such forthright terms you may well hear from some ardent Bushites...which, come to think of it wouldn't be such a bad thing if you can stomach it. Yes, if this whole Bush regime comes crashing down it might be nice to have some letters from his supporters for history's sake.

Yes, indeed...if you have the stomach for what might result, stand by your demand. You might glean some valuable knowledge.

I would still suggest that you take care to avoid the appearance of subverting the democratic process. You know how they love to catch liberals doing that. Ann Coulter et al.

I agree with you in regards to your personal approach. And it may well be too early to persuade the persuadable. It just might be more valuable to get some of the hardcore ordinary Bush voters on the record for future reference.

If you do get letters or phone calls or, as is probably most likely, a LTTE response, record them for posterity. There may come a time when they can be used as examples of a philosophy based on delusion.

[buckettgirl]

10. I like that

I think that is a good idea... to keep letters and such to a "philosphy based on delusion."
I hadn't thought of that, surely it will be amusing.
What gets me though, is when we speak out and the sheeple don't like it, all they can think to do is to cuss us out - with unintelligent babble. Letters like that will be amusing for years to come!! B-)

[AuntPatsy]

11. Don't doubt the evilness of those who have followed this pretender

without clear thought. I understand your anger and your courage but I would seriously be careful about putting your name on the interent persay. On another board I have heard people actually find out someones job name phone number etc by only doing something with the email address that some put on..

I know for a fact even if you don't put your name, there are pc experts nutcases out there who can trace you, I have seen people threatened with death by these rightwinged nutjobs, I would definately get a recorder by your phone just in case they get your number and harrass you, it is illegal, just watch your back please..

Your too far away for me to aid in helping you if you are in need. I know these people personaly, some are very severe nutjobs and will do anything to quiet you, this idiot has them believing that anyone who does not agree with them are evil unpatriotic and don't deserve any respect at all...

Its ugly, just be careful, your much more courageous than I , I applaud you....

[CaptainCorc]

12. Here's to ya, buckettgirl :-)

I've enjoyed this exchange a lot.

Aunt Patsay has a real good point though. I know you have to use your name and address on your letter to the editor, but it might be a very good idea to edit it out HERE so it's not available to such a wide audience.

There is cause for concern.