An open letter to my 'representatives' in Congress

To my Indiana senators and my representative:

Please... please resist the pressure from the Bush administration to deliver them a $700 billion blank check to address the current economic crisis. This is extortion. They have put us in the position where we absolutely must address this crisis, and quickly. But giving $700 billion to the Treasury Secretary to spend as he wishes will devastate the American economy for generations. And once it is done, we won't be able to undo it.

Please do it right: don't allow Wall Street to ram through whatever lucrative bailout they want, while leaving the entire rest of America at risk. Pass legislation with sensible checks and balances that protect the public as hundreds of billions of our taxpayer dollars are used to address the crisis:

1. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

   Our forefathers fought the Revolution over this issue! I'm sure they are rolling in their graves (and have been for the last 8 years.) If our tax dollars are going to buy bad assets from irresponsible bankers, the American people must have oversight... and get something for it. Equity in bailed out firms. Strong regulation so this doesn't happen again. Stern public oversight. And, no golden parachutes for CEOs with our money.

   We the people are now bound by strong bankruptcy laws that penalize ordinary Americans for any disaster that may strike out of the blue: hurricanes, terrorist attacks, even astronomical medical bills. When signing the Bankruptcy Reform Bill in 2005, George Bush said "America is a nation of personal responsibility where people are expected to meet their obligations." Really now.

   Greedy CEOs that deliberately put investors' money and our economy at risk simply to rake in more cash, want to walk away with a bag of cash - no strings attached. Is this still America? Or was I simply brought up believing in an America that was never more than a myth? This is where the rubber hits the road: we're either a democracy, where 'we the people' have representation and protection from robber barons; or some sort of financial fascist state. You tell us. Because you can't hide the truth any longer.

2. NO HELP FOR WALL STREET WITHOUT HELP FOR MAIN STREET.

   To truly get our economy back on track, we must aid the victims, not just the predators. Freeze foreclosures. Renegotiate bad mortgages. Create jobs generating clean energy and modernizing infrastructure. Prevent cuts in local police, health, road and school budgets. Extend unemployment insurance and food stamps. Whatever you do or don't do today will come back to haunt or redeem this congress. Show us you really represent us, not just wealthy lobbyists.
   

3. NO INSIDER DEALING.

   Wall Street can no longer be allowed to write their own laws. Legislators must step up and refuse campaign money from Wall Street PACs or executives. We need a "time out" on contact between paid Wall Street lobbyists and elected officials while the crisis is addressed; and yes I realize it is an election year... and I'm sure this is their way of extorting whatever they want from any politician running for re-election on their dime.

   Don't let them get away with it. Any congressional meetings with Wall Street officials must be immediately posted on a single website for complete transparency.

Thank you in advance for taking a stand for common sense and democracy. Oh, and may I remind you in this election year... everyone is watching.