March, 2010
Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have my deepest appreciation and gratitude. You carry the future of this great land on your shoulders with each decision you make, each vote you cast, each committee you chair.
Your have to maintain your focus all the time, day in and day out, term in and term out. You have to give your very best, all the time, whether the camera catches you or not, whether Jon Steward or Bill O'Reilly mention you in their monologues.
You have to ignore the chatter, the politics, the party lines and party prompts.
Right now, you are asked to pass the Health Care Bill.
It is the MORAL THING TO DO!
It may not be what you consider the Best thing for all of us. It may even be an irritant to some. But, we , the 90% of the population of these fifty states that are the middle class, we are in need of a sane and affordable health care program.
You are presently covered by a health plan, and so is your family. You are presently employed full time. Good. We love to take care of you while you do the work of the country. But, what if we ( those for whom you work) decided that we couldn't pay you for your work, nor your health care?
You see, employers are cutting down benefits, as insurance companies increase their premiums, or whittle down what they choose to cover to maintain profit margins, as cities and schools struggle to provide services and are forced to lay off employees, or cut benefits.
What you are charged to do is to look at the whole spectrum of services and benefits. You need to see how the entire group of citizens can rally together to keep this ship of state afloat. When do we let a few people in first class continue to eat prime rib and drink champagne when the ship is about to sink because the labor force is starving and can't maintain its strength? A healthy and happy work force with decent benefits will go the extra step to maintain the happiness and welfare of the folks in first class.
It is the reason we put you in the ship's control cabin: You need to make this decision, even if it creates a minor disturbance in first class cabins.
You are our best and brigthtest. Let's hope you can keep your wits and moral compass working well.
This is not a political decision. Republican, Democrat, Independent, Reformer, regardless of our label, regardless of our beliefs in what the government should or should not do, we are a country who doesn't abandon its people to the greed of others.
Right now, greed and self interest may very well be your beliefs if you do not pass a health care bill.
With sincere appreciation,
Rosaria D. Williams
(a volunteer public servant)
