Dear Mr. President,
Tonight, you address the American people from Washington, D.C. Your direct audience, some of the most powerful men and women in this nation–the 535 members of Congress–will listen to you with rapt attention. Your words dominate coverage on the three major news networks, the many cable news outlets, on the radio, and in countless newspaper, magazine, and blog articles throughout the weekend.
The American Energy Alliance and our American Energy Express (AEX) team obviously don’t have access to that kind of platform, and rightfully so–you’re the President. But we do have access to something you seem to have overlooked in your efforts to advance the cap-and-trade energy tax legislation through the Congress — the American people. We have spent the last 23 days traveling through five states, hearing directly from Americans about their lives, the tough realities they face everyday, and how higher energy prices would impact their family budgets, their small businesses and their way of life.
Unfortunately, as a result of your busy schedules in Washington, D.C., sometimes you and those 535 members of Congress miss out on those stories. That’s why we’re writing to you today. We hope you’ll take some of what we’ve learned into consideration.
Cap-and-tax is a terrible policy. As you said yourself, it will bankrupt the coal industry and cause electricity prices to “necessarily skyrocket.” The American people cannot afford the largest tax increase in U.S. history, especially if levied on the lifeblood of our society, energy.
But don’t take it from us. Take it from the people we’ve talked to in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Virginia, many of whom voted to put you in office.
Listen to the woman in Lima, Ohio who told us she walked to our event because she couldn’t afford gasoline.
Listen to the parents in Bowling Green, Ohio who worry that they won’t be able to give their sons a proper Christmas if you move forward with your plan.
Listen to the coal miners in West Virginia who turned out in droves to keep you from bankrupting the industry that has fed their families for generations.
Listen to the man in Hookstown, Pennsylvania who said he’ll have to choose between electricity and groceries if his utilities go any higher.
Tonight, you’ve got the entire nation on the edge of their seats, listening to your every word. We hope you’ll return the favor and listen to some of us.
Sincerely,
The American Energy Alliance
I work for a church. We have had many requests from people asking for help to pay their current electric bills and we are just coming out of warm weather. Several are single mothers. We unfortunately can not help them all. If utility prices increase, how are the lower income families going to survive. I took one women to Human Services for help. She was without electric for one month. She had to beg and borrow to come up with the difference in order to have the agency help her. She was not treated with respect at the agency; nor, were the people who had been waiting for hours to see a representative.
This health care reform is nothing more than a power grab and more taxes for EVERYONE. You promised not to raise taxes for people who make under $250,000 and yet your Cap and Tax scheme is going to make my utility bills triple. How am I going to afford that? You have lied about everything you promised. I’m tired of your lies. I’m going to vote everyone I can out of Congress and I’m going to vote for ANYONE that runs against you in the next election.
Bravo! Every letter or communication has a cumulative effect and after awhile, they have to start listening. The only thing they really care about is re-election. Most legislators spend 80% of their time while in office, campaigning for re-election funds.
There are very few congressmen/women who are principled enough to fight for the rights of the individual. Too many Republicans have forgotten the principles of capitalism and freedom. Since there is no strong “third party” our only option is to continue trying to “educate” our elected officials about the meanings of the Constitution. To give up is to surrender. I refuse to do that!
We don’t need a radical Government.We hired you not to tell us what to do or what we need but to help keep our great country free and safe.I say whoever is offended by Our Constitution and Freedom of speech.Please feel free to go to another country.Leave us alone.
05 Ooct.2009
AMEN !