C (E) &P: "Guns V. Butter" As Personal Propaganda

Some folks (FDL among them) are appealing for an outpouring of communications from constituents to sway the votes of members of Congress on the impending vote for a $95 BILLION supplemental to fund the expiring war in Iraq and the newly-flowering invasion/incursion/occupation/vicarious bombing of Afghanistan and Pakistan. I know: Fat chance.

But just in case you'd like to make your voice--alright pixels--read, FDL has a site in common with Democrats.Com where you may sign a petition.

Or you might want to do as I did, and avail myself of the language of the petition as a template for a letter to my local Congresscritter, a newbie named Martin Heinrich, D-NM3 (YMMV). Here's the original text of the petition:

We cannot afford expanded warfare and expanded health care at the same time.

I urge you to oppose the $95 billion Supplemental Appropriations which will keep U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely and expand the senseless war in Afghanistan/Pakistan.

I urge you to use those funds instead to provide health care to the 45 million Americans who cannot afford it, either through an immediate Single Payer system like Rep. Conyers' H.R. 676, or a "Public Option" that leads directly to Single Payer.

And here is the message I formulated from the petition and sent on to Rep. Heinrich

Hon. Sir:

In the face of the cascading economic problems confronting us, the country cannot afford expanded warfare and expanded health care at the same time. It is the old guns/butter dilemma. But it has never been more real, or more important to decide for the People.

Therefore, I urge--implore!--you to oppose the $95 billion Supplemental Appropriations which will keep U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely and expand the senseless war in Afghanistan/Pakistan. These policies are no more than an extension of the Bushevik regime's misguided, fatal mistakes in the region which have already cost us so dearly, in blood and treasure.

Instead of unleashing more carnage on people who have never done us any harm, I urge you to use those funds AT THE VERY LEAST to provide health care to the 45 million Americans who cannot afford it, either through an immediate Single Payer system like Rep. Conyers' H.R. 676, or a "Public Option" that leads directly to Single Payer.

The last time I checked, you had not signed on to co-sponsor HR 676, a move which would gain you much approval in your district, if my opinion is any indication. Please, sir, in this if nothing else, be FOR the People.

Y'r Ob't S'v't,


Dr. Woody Konopelli, Ph.D., HMWb,TE

DIY Propaganda! Anybody can do it...