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Yesterday I met with my Congressman, Danny Davis. Since I asked DU’ers for input on what issues to discuss, I want to report back on the meeting. But first, I want to encourage EVERYONE to meet with their Congressman or woman.
I realize not everyone has a Rep who is as open and moderate as Congressman Davis. But whether Democrat or Republican, they represent you in Washington and are supposed to listen to you. They all have offices in their districts, so you don’t have to travel to DC to do it. And they are ALL up for re-election. If you have trouble getting an appointment, tell the scheduler you are trying to decide who to vote for, especially if your Rep has any real challenge in November. If you absolutely can’t get in to see your Congressman, ask to meet with the staff member in charge of Issues and Research.
I met with Congressman Davis for two reasons. I wanted to be sure that he was aware of some of the issues we discuss on DU and I wanted his advice on how best to direct my energy this election.
In fairness to Congressman Davis, his focus in Congress - including committee memberships - has been on issues important to his district. While the 7th District includes the loop and Gold Coast and some relatively affluent areas like River Forest, Oak Park, it also includes some of the poorest like Maywood, the west side and south shore. Davis’ focus has been on issues like education, health care, prison reform, drug treatment and economic development. On those issues he has been excellent. I have also seen and heard him at a number of local protests and he voted against the authorization to go to war. I am proud to have him as my Representative.
He said he heard of PNAC - as a think tank Rumsfeld was involved with before he was Sec. of Defense. He didn't know anything about Sibel Edmonds. He was aware of BBV, but was confident about voting machines in Cook County (as am I - for now anyway). He knew Haliburton was making money on the war, but not about the bulk of the info in American Judas (hell, there was a lot in there I didn't know too).
He seemed genuinely interested in what I was telling him about. He admitted that he probably wouldn't be able to read all of what I was giving him (it was quite a pile), but would give it to his “Issues/Research“ person. I asked him to personally read some of the PNAC stuff like the "The President's Real Goal in Iraq" and Will Pitt's pieces as well as Sibel Edmond's open letter. He said he would. I asked to meet the "Issues/Research" person and he took me to his office and introduced us. I got that guy's name, phone and e-mail address and told him I would either be his best friend or worst nightmare. He said he welcomed the input (we'll see - lol).
I told Congressman Davis that if I, a suburban housewife, could find out about all of this, I know people in Iraq and other countries have as well. I told him I believe the fulfillment of the PNAC plan has a lot to do with the Iraqi “insurgency”. I told him how frustrated many of us are that our Representatives and Senators talk about the Bush administration’s “ideology” without every talking about PNAC and that their “ideology” is there for everyone to read. He said that many in Congress are afraid that their constituents (who are scared themselves) will think that their Congressmen don’t understand and appreciate the dangers of terrorism facing this country if they do. I told him the administration was counting on the Congressmen’s fear and playing on it.
We also had an excellent discussion about Illinois Congressional races and I got some good insight as to where to direct my efforts. We spent over an hour together. I told him I may want to meet with him again sometime and he said he looked forward to it.
We can’t take for granted that our Congressmen and Senators know about the things we discuss here. Many of us have e-mailed, faxed and called about issues. I urge everyone who is able to go that extra step and visit their Congressman in person. Whether or not you see eye to eye with them, whether or not you supported them or voted for them. Be polite and be respectful, but don’t be shy. You may or may not get a warm welcome, but you have a right - a responsibility - to tell them how you want them to represent you.
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