People I know often tell me, when the subject comes up, that writing to our representatives in the government is a waste of time, because they don’t listen to people who don’t come bearing bribes. Fair enough, but that negates the unmitigated amusement that can derive through personal encounters with The Blob. Hence I begin the Dear Blob column, where I attempt to reason with reason with the unreasonable, communicate with the unresponsive and understand the inscrutable. The following was my latest Dear Blob correspondence, followed by The Blob’s response. Both letters are unaltered from the original.
______________________
Senator Van Hollen,
I am a life-long Democrat constituent writing to you to express my anger over your support for US militarism that has become increasingly dangerous, unsustainable, and contrary to the well being of US citizens. The Democrats, under the failed leadership of Joe Biden, have provoked both Russia and China to the extreme, and we are witnessing the greatest world instability since the Cuban missile crisis in the early 1960s, when I was only 8 years old. The outrageously bloated and counter-productive military budget is even higher now under Biden than it was under Donald Trump, and continues to grow with each budget cycle, like a cancer on our nation. It has to stop, but I do not hear any criticisms coming from you in this regard.
In the last several election cycles I have not voted for the Democrats anymore. In fact, I did not vote for you for the first time since you started running for office in Maryland. I simply left the space blank. If there are any candidates running that support less militarization and less war than the Democrats have given us, I vote for them. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans represent anything that I want for this country.
I want Improved Medicare for All, drastic reductions in military spending and closing of overseas military bases, a shift from a war economy to a green economy, elimination of the electoral college, greatly increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy, and a halt to all attempts to censor news and the internet, as was done with the Hunter Biden laptop story.
You know full well that Russia was forced into military action in Ukraine because you and the US government purposely failed to ensure the Minsk agreement was upheld. In fact, you and other Democrats voted repeatedly to arm the right-wing fascist and Nazi elements in Ukraine ever since the US instigated coup in 2014. Now you are engaging in direct US action in Ukraine with satellite imagery, logistics, weapons and ammunition, and ground support for using US weapon systems, which the great majority of Americans do not want.
The only option left is to stop arming the right-wing, anti-Russia factions in Ukraine, and allowing Russia to incorporate the Russian-speaking regions of eastern Ukraine into the Russian Federation. The US and EU have no other viable option. When will you publicly call for this change in US policy?
Sincerely,
Dr. John R Moffett
_____________________
Dear Mr. Moffett,
Thank you for contacting me to express your support for legislation and funding that promotes diplomacy and bolsters humanitarian efforts around the world. I appreciate hearing from you and apologize for the delayed response.
I agree with you and I have consistently supported robust funding for international affairs. The International Affairs Budget funds strategic tools that are vital to protecting our national security and health, building economic prosperity, alleviating humanitarian crises, supporting democratic principles, and demonstrating American values. Cuts to the International Affairs Budget are not only counterproductive, they are dangerous.
The value of diplomacy and international assistance to our nation is incalculable, and the benefits we receive by supporting a civilian presence overseas far outweigh the costs. Thanks to the work of the Department of State and USAID, as well as American leadership in international institutions, our nation is able to promote democracy, protect human rights, develop commerce, and fight disease, hunger, and poverty. These programs are more important than ever as we face myriad global challenges, from a worrying authoritarian trend to the threat of global climate change.
The diplomats and development experts at these institutions also play a key role in averting conflict, shortening its duration, and preventing its reemergence. Fewer and shorter conflicts mean fewer American service members in harm’s way and increased security for the American people at home.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that is in charge of formulating the International Affairs Budget, please be assured that I will do all I can to protect the State Department, USAID, and America's contribution to international institutions by ensuring they have robust funding to carry out their vital missions.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me whenever I may be of service.
Sincerely,
Chris Van Hollen
United States Senator
You:"writing to our representatives in the government is a waste of time, because they don’t listen to people who don’t come bearing bribes."
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