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Response from Tammy Baldwin, Representative, 2nd Congressional District of Wisconsin

At the end of August 2009, I sent a letter to my "representative", Tammy Baldwin, about the ongoing health care debate. I voiced my concern about "public health care" and about her speaking on my behalf, because, in fact, she does not. Here is her response to me (my reaction follows):

September 1, 2009

Brian Frick
(Address redacted)
Madison, Wisconsin

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me about America's health care system. I appreciate you sharing your views during this moment of opportunity for transformational change.

In these challenging economic times, affordable health care is a significant concern for Wisconsin families. It is a worry that keeps parents up at night, seniors from taking all the medications they need, and people of all ages from seeking critical preventive care.

As you know, Congress is currently considering measures that would provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and its Health Subcommittee, I am deeply involved in developing this crucial legislation. Under the current draft plan (America's Affordable Health Choices Act, H.R. 3200) if you like your doctor and the plan you have now, you may keep them. If you are not satisfied with your coverage or if you are one of the 47 million Americans currently uninsured, you will have an array of quality and affordable choices.

Today we have an unprecedented opportunity to boldly address our nation's health care crisis. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report projects that if federal reform efforts are not enacted, within 10 years, the cost of health care for businesses could double, and the number of uninsured Americans could reach 65.7 million. The time to act is now. I have attached a column that I wrote for local newspapers in which I further discuss the need for reforming our health care system. I hope that you will read it, and share your thoughts with me.

I welcome your opinions. As Congress works to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans, I hope that you will continue to share your views, by visiting my website at http://tammybaldwin.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Tammy Baldwin
Member of Congress

P.S. I regularly send out email updates on federal issues and opportunities. These reports also include regular surveys through which you can express your opinion. If you would like to receive these email updates, you may sign up by visiting my website at: http://www.house.gov/formbaldwin/IMA/get_address_news.htm

Here is my response, one item at a time, to Tammy's reply to my note.

Paragraph 1

  1. The United States of America is only one small part of the two continents that make up "America". We are just as American as Canadians. A very quick lesson in 3rd grade history and geography would make that apparent.
  2. "During this moment of opportunity for transformational change..." Really? Did my letter to you not clearly state that I don't believe this is a moment of opportunity to be had, nor a change I want? Clearly, you're ignoring my message while foisting your message on me. (Oh, and "transformational change" is redundant. Transformation implies change.)

Paragraph 2

  1. These "challenging economic times" are a direct result of the ridiculous policies put in play since the Progressive movement of the early 1920s; they are furthered by the idiotic notions of the Bush and Obama administrations' disregard for the Capitalist system. It's patently obvious that we are in dire straits. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. (PS: your job is on the line this year; hope you have a savings account.)

MORE TO COME...

Response to Chief Noble Wray, Madison Police

On July 20, 2009, an article was published in the Wisconsin State Journal called "Police chief: 'Crime has gotten personal' in Madison". Here is my response.
You can read the original article here.

Dear Chief Wray,

I am responding to the article in the State Journal, "Crime has gotten personal", in which you are heavily quoted. I find it appalling that the Chief of Police would ask citizens, some who have lived here for many years, to "accept behaviors that feel strange and scary". You are asking people who have a standard of living to which they are accustomed to lower the bar and, seemingly, disregard the law.

With all due respect, I invite you, the Mayor, or anyone else from the city to come sit in my driveway for a day and watch what happens. It is not acceptable behavior for anyone to trespass, curse, cause property damage, steal, insult residents, block their driveways, scare residents, threaten them, or in any other way cause them harm.

To state that having something stolen out of my yard is "something to get used to" is an absolute insult to me and to every resident who cares. Those of us who work for our property, work on our property, pay for our belongings, and pay taxes to the city and state deserve to have their rights to their property preserved by the police who are hired to protect them.

You stated that as you drive home, groups of kids walk across the street slowly in front of your car. You claim that it isn't illegal. What ever happened to jaywalking laws? I don't believe they've been rescinded. Why can't they be enforced?

No resident should have to lower his standards to a level set by newcomers. If someone wants to live in these neighborhoods, it is his duty to raise himself to the level that is acceptable in the community. NOT the other way around. They don't set the rules; we do. And to blame people with standards or ask them to change is a level of complacency I've never seen in this city to such an extent. We have laws for a reason. People can express themselves however they want in private, but when it comes to public behavior, everyone must follow the same rules, and live up to the same standards. To claim otherwise is to deny the very law you swore to uphold.

We citizens did not sign away our right to be protected. I hope you will take me up on my offer. Come to my house on a Friday or Saturday night, and watch the things that happen on Gammon Lane. Sit up with me until 3 am, when the party is just getting started. Watch the kids trespass between the homes on my court in a steady stream, ripping plants out of gardens and tearing leaves and branches off trees. Watch the kids walk down the street holding the fronts of their pants in some sort of offensive behavior that even I can't begin to comprehend. See them block the courts and stand in front of the mail truck while Cliff tries to deliver mail.

I hope you will consider what I have to say. Up to this point, I've kept reasonably quiet about issues in my neighborhood, but the article in the State Journal really pushed my buttons. Please feel free to contact me. I am open to an honest and fruitful debate about how to address the issues set forth.

In closing, I want to stress that I sincerely appreciate all of the hard work that you and the Madison Police do for our community. It does not go unnoticed.

(These opinions are solely my own, and should not be construed as the opinion of any organization to which I belong.)

Sincerely,

Brian Frick, President
Park Ridge Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 44577
Madison, WI 53744
(contact info redacted)