The other day I shared Congressman Ruppersberger view on energy reform. Today I have the response I received from Senator Barbara Mikulski.
Let me know if you think they are addressing our concerns.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for writing to me about funding for alternative energy in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(P.L. 111-5). It's great to hear from you.
I have good news! The ARRA included over $41 billion to improve the way our country uses, produces and conserves energy. This will support projects such as the Weatherization Assistance Program, modernizing the electric grid, repairing federal buildings to increase energy efficiency, fossil energy research and development, energy efficiency and renewable energy research and many others. Securing our energy future is important. I supported this funding legislation because I believe in a sensible energy plan that promotes alternative energy and energy efficiency and reduces global warming pollution.
President Obama and Congress have taken a major step forward by enacting the ARRA. Only a few weeks into a new Congress and a new Administration, we stood up for America and enacted the most significant economic stimulus legislation in our nation's history. By standing with President Obama, we stand up for America to create jobs for people who have lost them and to help those who have jobs keep them.
The ARRA creates jobs by investing in our infrastructure. It fixes aging physical infrastructure like roads, bridges, public transit and water systems. It invests in the technological infrastructure like broadband to expand small businesses. And it makes major improvements to our social infrastructure by investing in education so that families and local school districts can help special needs children, extending unemployment insurance for struggling families, and increasing federal assistance for the Medicaid program so states won't cut care for seniors and the poor. It also has targeted tax breaks to help families and small businesses.
For more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, you may be interested in the White House website http://www.recovery.gov, where you can read the full text of the legislation and see how the money is being spent.
Thanks once again for writing. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.
Sincerely, Barbara A. MikulskiUnited States Senator P.S. If I can be of further assistance in the future,please visit my website at http://mikulski.senate.govor call my Washington D.C. office at 202-224-4654
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Congressman Ruppersberger on Energy
I just received the following letter from my congressman about making America energy independent. Is it just me, or is this another politican who talks in generalities and avoids specifics at all costs?
Let me know what you think.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
This letter acknowledges receipt of your communication regarding our nation’s need for clean, renewable energy.
The energy crisis has sparked a renewed debate in Congress about the direction of our country’s energy policies. Our national energy policy is advancing into a new direction to include more research and development of domestic, renewable sources of energy. This is an important step toward making our country energy independent and addressing climate change.
While clean, domestic, renewable energy is important, we also have to provide our citizens with practical tools to help them become energy efficient so that they may save money and reduce their carbon footprint.
The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which I supported, expands the Section 25C tax credit for the purchase of qualified energy efficient improvements in existing homes. It eliminates a $200 per-window credit cap and replaces it with a broader $1,500 credit for windows and other energy-efficient improvements. I believe this will help homeowners save on their energy costs, and help create more jobs and help protect the environment.
Congress is working to move our energy policy in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go. I support the research, development, and production of domestic renewable energy sources along with increased energy-efficient products for homes and businesses. We must take a pro-active role in addressing global warming, and we also need to find ways to move our country away from imported oil and natural gas. I support policies that will help create a new energy economy.
I appreciate hearing your views on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future if you have any questions or comments. To receive additional information about issues that are facing Congress, Maryland and the Nation that may affect you and your community, please visit my website at www.dutch.house.gov and sign up for my periodic e-mail newsletter. Sincerely,C.A. Dutch RuppersbergerMember of Congress
Let me know what you think.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
This letter acknowledges receipt of your communication regarding our nation’s need for clean, renewable energy.
The energy crisis has sparked a renewed debate in Congress about the direction of our country’s energy policies. Our national energy policy is advancing into a new direction to include more research and development of domestic, renewable sources of energy. This is an important step toward making our country energy independent and addressing climate change.
While clean, domestic, renewable energy is important, we also have to provide our citizens with practical tools to help them become energy efficient so that they may save money and reduce their carbon footprint.
The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which I supported, expands the Section 25C tax credit for the purchase of qualified energy efficient improvements in existing homes. It eliminates a $200 per-window credit cap and replaces it with a broader $1,500 credit for windows and other energy-efficient improvements. I believe this will help homeowners save on their energy costs, and help create more jobs and help protect the environment.
Congress is working to move our energy policy in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go. I support the research, development, and production of domestic renewable energy sources along with increased energy-efficient products for homes and businesses. We must take a pro-active role in addressing global warming, and we also need to find ways to move our country away from imported oil and natural gas. I support policies that will help create a new energy economy.
I appreciate hearing your views on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future if you have any questions or comments. To receive additional information about issues that are facing Congress, Maryland and the Nation that may affect you and your community, please visit my website at www.dutch.house.gov and sign up for my periodic e-mail newsletter. Sincerely,C.A. Dutch RuppersbergerMember of Congress
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
President of Sudan charged as a Criminal
The World Criminal Court, located in the Hague in the Netherlands, has charged the president of the Sudan as a criminal. However, the three judges would not go so far as to say that the man was guilty of attempted genocide. The fact that he wants to annihilate any tribe in the country that is not Muslim, evidently does not mean that his intent is genocide.
Already the Sudanese government has ordered the removal of at least twelve aide organizations operating in the Sudan, stating that these groups are actually aiding the fight against the Sudanese government and not helping the people of the country.
Point counter point. Of course the real question is - what does it mean?
If the president of the Sudan leaves his country will INTERPOL police arrest him in a neutral location? Just what is the power of the Criminal Court?
I will have to do some research and get back to you on that.
What I don't understand is why the UN didn't send in troops years ago to protect the poor of Darfur, rather than let them die or become refugees in Chad. As has been the case in all of Africa, and the Middle East, the UN has been a very weak organization with no backbone. If the UN represents what is suppose to be the best of the world, then they should start acting the part and show some force.
But maybe the UN's real role is merely to be a sounding board, a place for nations to blow steam before a world war begins. Its just too bad they don't do a better job.
Why fund an organization that has so little effect? Something to think about.
Its Common Sense!
Already the Sudanese government has ordered the removal of at least twelve aide organizations operating in the Sudan, stating that these groups are actually aiding the fight against the Sudanese government and not helping the people of the country.
Point counter point. Of course the real question is - what does it mean?
If the president of the Sudan leaves his country will INTERPOL police arrest him in a neutral location? Just what is the power of the Criminal Court?
I will have to do some research and get back to you on that.
What I don't understand is why the UN didn't send in troops years ago to protect the poor of Darfur, rather than let them die or become refugees in Chad. As has been the case in all of Africa, and the Middle East, the UN has been a very weak organization with no backbone. If the UN represents what is suppose to be the best of the world, then they should start acting the part and show some force.
But maybe the UN's real role is merely to be a sounding board, a place for nations to blow steam before a world war begins. Its just too bad they don't do a better job.
Why fund an organization that has so little effect? Something to think about.
Its Common Sense!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Letter to the President
After reading about some of the earmarks (pork) in the $410 billion bill the President plans to sign today, I felt I had to let him know how I felt and sent the following. I doubt if it will have any effect, but at least I let him know how one voter feels. Feel free to use any or all and write to him yourself. The President needs to know how we feel. Its our government and our money.
Its Common Sense!
Mr President
You campaigned against earmarks (pork) yet today you plan to sign a $410 billion bill that is full of them.
Why?
Rather than sign the bill, I think you need to get your fellow Democrats on the Hill to propose line item veto legislation so that you can keep your promise and cut the pork.
Most of us who voted for you did so because you promised to change the government. Thus far its business as usual.You offered hope but now it looks like greed and special interests continue to rule.
If the only way to save the country is by dishing out pork, maybe its not worth saving.
Listen to the people not the politicians- after all we're the ones you are going to be coming to in four years, they won't be able to do anything for you if we believe you lied and let us down.
Get the line item veto, save the country.
Thank you.
Its Common Sense!
Mr President
You campaigned against earmarks (pork) yet today you plan to sign a $410 billion bill that is full of them.
Why?
Rather than sign the bill, I think you need to get your fellow Democrats on the Hill to propose line item veto legislation so that you can keep your promise and cut the pork.
Most of us who voted for you did so because you promised to change the government. Thus far its business as usual.You offered hope but now it looks like greed and special interests continue to rule.
If the only way to save the country is by dishing out pork, maybe its not worth saving.
Listen to the people not the politicians- after all we're the ones you are going to be coming to in four years, they won't be able to do anything for you if we believe you lied and let us down.
Get the line item veto, save the country.
Thank you.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Line Item Veto
I just sent the following letter to my two senators, along with Senator John McCain. Please feel free to use all of any part when contacting your own representatives. We have to control how our tax money is being spent. The line item veto is one way of control.
Its Common Sense!
Dear Senator
In watching the news during the past two weeks, it is evident that our country is in trouble and that responsible spending is going to be necessary to get the country's economy back on track.
One way I feel that the President and Congress can show the American people that the debt they creating is responsible, is by passing the line item veto.
President Obama has made it very clear that he is against entitlements (pork) and with the Democrats controlling both the legislative and executive branches of the government, I feel this is an excellent time to show that the people's money is going to be use responsibility and not for special interests.
The line item veto is one area where you should be able to get bi-partisan support. We all know that Senator John McCain is a great proponent of this measure and if he co-sponsors the bill with the senators of Maryland there is a high probability of success.
We day we listen to the staggering amounts, perhaps $4 trillion just in interest to pay, that we the people need to know our money is being spent wisely and appropriately.
Thus far the score card on Congressional oversight is not good. Congress gave $350 billion to banks that only seem to be using their money for their own purposes, not the American public. Where are the Congressional controls?
We the people need to know that the President and Congress are serious about controlling the debt that is placing on this country for the next four generations.
The line item veto let's us know that bills can be passed without "pork" being forced on.
With a debt in the trillions, the days of Congressional free spending needs to end. Every dollar needs to be account for.
Push the passage of the line item veto and show America that you truly care.
Thank you.
Its Common Sense!
Dear Senator
In watching the news during the past two weeks, it is evident that our country is in trouble and that responsible spending is going to be necessary to get the country's economy back on track.
One way I feel that the President and Congress can show the American people that the debt they creating is responsible, is by passing the line item veto.
President Obama has made it very clear that he is against entitlements (pork) and with the Democrats controlling both the legislative and executive branches of the government, I feel this is an excellent time to show that the people's money is going to be use responsibility and not for special interests.
The line item veto is one area where you should be able to get bi-partisan support. We all know that Senator John McCain is a great proponent of this measure and if he co-sponsors the bill with the senators of Maryland there is a high probability of success.
We day we listen to the staggering amounts, perhaps $4 trillion just in interest to pay, that we the people need to know our money is being spent wisely and appropriately.
Thus far the score card on Congressional oversight is not good. Congress gave $350 billion to banks that only seem to be using their money for their own purposes, not the American public. Where are the Congressional controls?
We the people need to know that the President and Congress are serious about controlling the debt that is placing on this country for the next four generations.
The line item veto let's us know that bills can be passed without "pork" being forced on.
With a debt in the trillions, the days of Congressional free spending needs to end. Every dollar needs to be account for.
Push the passage of the line item veto and show America that you truly care.
Thank you.
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