Guest guest Posted August 19, 1999 Report Share Posted August 19, 1999 http://www.duff.net/zapper/update.htm ZapUpdate August 19th 1999 Greetings Everyone! I am going to let you, and our loyal readers in on a secret. I'm not even going to tell my wife because I am sure she will just have a royal fit when she finds out. No, it's not a sudden change in my health (that I know of, anyway.) But after thirty years of writing about political shenanigans, dumb government moves, and exasperation over waiting for someone to turn the "ship of state" around to do something right for PEOPLE... I am convinced no one in the "beltway loop" gives a hoot about what is right and no one is making much of an effort to find out what the PEOPLE think. I see no one else on the horizon to lead a revolution. So.... That gene that turned me into an anti-war activist back in the 60's (which culminated with my volunteering for the draft and serving two years as an Army medic) has apparently lit another fire in my soul. I can no longer sit on the sidelines, watching as the immoral and unethical power brokers waste our resources and cause so many people to suffer. The only way to get this boat headed in the right direction is to replace the crew. At this point I am ready to make the effort necessary to be able to sit in one of those chairs in Congress.... actually, on the side where the Senators do their bidding. Even though active in the SDS when I was a kid, I disagreed with my comrades of the time who thought the solution was to "burn down the establishment." Now, as then, I believe the necessary changes must be one of peaceful evolution - not violent revolution. I readily acknowledge that (considering my cardiac and financial conditions) I can not expect my mission to succeed without help. And that's where YOU come in. No, I'm not yet ready to "pass the hat" to finance a campaign... but I would like to know the issues you consider important. I am looking for a legion of people with whom I can exchange ideas and keep me honest. Because you (who know about as much about me as anyone through my ramblings here) and I have already developed that kind of relationship, I would really welcome your joining my "salvation army." For example, a few things that upset me the most and pushes me to devote my energies to this effort are: U.S. Court of Appeals says veterans not guaranteed health care READ STORY Lawmakers listen more to insurance lobbyists than to citizens in matters of health care Billions of dollars in foreign aid lost to bureacratic theft FCC other feds looking for ways to tax internet use Washington's penchant for throwing (our) money at problems from disease to violence without a clue in sight to indicate solutions Yet, on seemingly simple issues like making defibrillators more accessible to the public... action is repeatedly delayed, as if being fought by secretive vested interests. I nearly cried when that court ruling was announced, convinced all of us who served for our flag were lied to and cheated. When I went into the Army, the promise of healthcare for life was given every day as the rationale for everything from peeling potatoes to risking our lives by climbing into a helicopter. Yet, Congress, in its infinite wisdom continues giving itself raise after raise and OBSCENE retirement packages, closing VA hospitals to pay for their perks. Here in Florida, space at the national cemetaries has just about run out - and there is no place to let all the vets rest in peace! Despite the ethics laws, money flows freely from HMO's into the pockets of the politicians and we, the PEOPLE, are sacrificed. This manipulation of our lives must stop! NOW! I'm not ready to call for nationalization of insurance companies, but it should be illegal for that business to spend our premiums to fund P-R campaigns. Speaking of money, how can Washington legitimize sending billions overseas when less than one dollar out of ten does the work it's supposed to do? I saw the need for foreign aid when I was in Mexico City for the '85 earthquake. I'm sure there's a similar life-or-death need now in Turkey. I'm equally sure children are starving in North Korea and Iraq. But the entire system that exists now to provide aid is flawed. Perhaps I am being simplistic, but I think we could accomplish twice as much as we are doing now by cutting that budget 80% and letting the Salvation Army administer the ENTIRE program. They are lean, they are mean, and they do not have persona non gratis status anywhere! Unlike the Red Cross, I witnessed first hand - many times over the years - how the Salvation Army turned a one dollar contribtion into five dollars of good work. Well, I have already exceeded my dozen paragraph limitation, but I do hope this gives you something to think about. Please send me your thoughts - even if to warn me against climbing on a horse like Don Quixote. I will read and consider each mailing, even if unable to respond to each note in a timeley fashion. Finally, I apologize to anyone offended by my use of this forum for political purpose. But it has been through this vehicle that I have learned so many of you are not getting the government service you pay for, and it is this forumn that has convinced me to "turn up a notch" my level of involvement. We are in the process of establishing a new "podium" for our campaign which will include a daily "talk show." We'll let you know when that is ready. Please stay well..... Duffey, Zapper Publisher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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