We are not a reality show!

The better way is to stop running our government as if it were a reality show. This is real time and real life. Treat people with respect and they will do the same for you. A collaborative government is a functional, give-and-take government. A "you're fired" government will end us all in flames.
Sent July 31, 2017

Peacemaking or war?

I suspect that global climate change is the most important reason for us to reach out to countries that are already feeling the sting of higher temperatures. We can draw an imaginary line around our comfortable life and not let anyone in. Or, we could do what we can to reduce warming and help people adapt to big changes. One sounds like peace making, the other war mongering. We do have a choice.
Sent August 1, 2017

Spending more than we have...

It sounds like, "Let's spend more and more money even though we don't have enough to spend on what we already have budgeted." If I spent more than I have to spend on what I need to spend, you would call me a fool.
Sent July 29,2017

Stubborn, a curse or a blessing...

Having a stubborn streak is both positive and negative. We all know stubborn people who won't give an inch or listen to a well reasoned argument. But, we also know those who, through pure stubbornness, survive hardship and come out the other side with care and compassion for others. One is a curse and one a blessing.
Sent July 28, 2017

How healthcare should work...

Wouldn't it be great if we all, including Congress and our President, had the same health coverage? Simple, ready to use, comprehensive, inclusive, and available to all. I hope someday is not too far away.
Sent July 27, 2017

Earn your recess...

In a first grade classroom, this would sound like, "If you don't do something mean and selfish to someone today, you won't get recess. If it doesn't make sense in a first grade classroom, it probably doesn't make sense in Congress.
Sent July 26, 2017

Made in America...

It sounds like such a good idea, "Just like the old days!" But, Americans have to decide where they want their money to go. Our precious dollars can go to foreign sweat shops with no job or safety protections or to safer, living wage jobs in the U.S. Hard decision... Buy less and protect American workers or continue our ravenous consumption of cheap, foreign goods. It is up to us to make American great again. Rhetoric won't work.
Sent July 25, 2017

Our blind eye...

When was it determined that science was something you chose to believe in or discard? It is very difficult for all of us to acknowledge that our behaviors and consumptions have soiled our nest, the Earth. But, turning our backs and doing nothing is a poor option. We have known since the 60's that this was coming, but the "blind eye" succeeded in pushing our efforts to change our habits until "later". Well, later is now, before it is too late.
Sent July 24, 2017

Our public lands...

People all over the country are rising up in protest to protect our public lands, the lands that belong to the people. These treasures were set aside to protect them from timber, extraction, grazing, and development interests. Overwhelmingly, the people do not want this to happen. Listen to us, we do not want our public lands stolen so a few can make a fortune.
Sent July 22, 2017

Healthcare - A Ponzi Scheme?

I guess, from the number of postcards I have written on this topic, that healthcare is one of my big motivators for writing postcards in the first place. Why can't we just get this one right? Writing a healthcare plan full of exclusions is not healthcare. It is a money-making Ponzi scheme.
Sent July 21, 2017

Net Neutrality or $$$?

Net neutrality gives start-ups, independent businesses, and users equality in how the internet functions. Taking neutrality away means that if you pay more you get preference. The more you pay, the more preference you get. Losing net neutrality stacks the deck (again) for those with the money.
Sent July 21, 2017

183 postcards and no reply...

I suspect all my postcards are languishing in a landfill somewhere. And, I have no illusions that anyone in the Trump administration has the job of responding to letters (or postcards) from common Americans who want to have a voice in our future. Still, one hundred eighty three times I have written and received nothing in return. This is not the kind of government I can support. I want to be heard, and to know I have been heard.
Sent July 20, 2017

Keep working...

It looks like the effort to repeal Obamacare has gone down in flames... at least temporarily. Thanks to all the people who have worked hard to keep our country headed toward a just, equitable, and comprehensive healthcare plan. Don't stop now, we still have work to do.
Sent July 19, 2017

I wish I had said, "A very interesting question instead of, "A very good question." But, the meaning is the same. Who care's if the science is wrong, let's make the world a better place, just because.
Sent July 18, 2017

Support the people? I'll support you!

It is pretty simple. If, as a candidate, you had voiced your support for the people of the United States, instead of for corporate profits, I would have been your staunch supporter. It is simple, show me you care about those of us who are not million- or billionaires and I will be the first in line to toot your horn.
Sent 7/17/17

Stealing artifacts...

If you pay bottom dollar and spirit artifacts away from their home culture undercover of false labels, it is stealing. The fines are nothing to Hobby Lobby and apparently stealing is okay to them since they are building a Bible museum. Where is the hew and cry from our President? I feel ashamed when people in my country behave so poorly, he should as well.
Sent July 17, 2017

"Boots on Mars?" - Really???

These are the kinds of conversations I am hearing wherever I go. How can you even talk about "boots on Mars" when you are taking away healthcare from millions of families, privatizing education for profit, and reducing social security? You make it clear that all you care about is money and you don't give a hoot about Americans.
Sent July 12, 2017

Backroom healthcare decisions....

Why is taking aim at women's healthcare and backroom job for men. At the very least, have your meetings in the open so we know who is responsible for this travesty.
Sent July 12, 2017

Stand up for our Public Lands...

"As part of the Trump Administration review, our Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is threatened to be revoked and could be handed over to timber and grazing interest groups. The comment period for this review just ended on Monday. More than 2.7 million comments were submitted with well over 90% in favor of keeping or expanding America’s National Monuments, including overwhelming support for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument." Please continue making your voices heard about our precious public lands.
Sent July 12, 2017

What not acting like an American looks like...

What does 'not acting like an American' look like? Actually, I am not really sure. I suppose it is the idea of being a guest in someone's home. I talk quietly, smile a lot, say "please" and "thank you" in the language I am visiting as often as I possibly can, and know a few phrases to help me get around. Probably most important is to smile at everyone to show I am having a wonderful time. I also have a rule that I follow on what I wear. If the women of the country I am visiting do not wear shorts or pants, neither do I.
Sent July 12, 2017

A criminal act...

Degradation of our land, air, and water may be the biggest problem we are facing. Allowing the degradation to continue in the name of corporate profits should be considered a criminal act.
Sent June 11, 2017

Voter protection and privacy...

I cannot believe this. It is such a violation of my privacy rights and the rights of my state to manage elections. Oregon has a paper trail of every single vote. Electronic voting is a system just waiting to be scammed by somebody somewhere.
Sent July 10, 2017

We all are watching....

The bottom line here is, what is healthcare for? If it is for making profits off of my injuries or check-ups or prevention of disease, then of course you will decide to limit healthcare to what makes you a profit. If healthcare is for helping people to stay healthy and recover quickly when they are sick or injured, you will make healthcare universal with no exclusions. Your legacy will be determined by the path you choose to walk. We all are watching.
Sent July 10, 2017

Collaboration = a quality healthcare plan

I am not sure this one is about healthcare or learning how to be collaborative as we put together a comprehensive and inclusive health plan for all Americans. I am sure we cannot do the first with out second.
Sent July 8, 2017

We all bleed...

We all eat and drink, laugh and cry, pee and poop. If we are cut, we bleed. How does it happen that anyone of us thinks he or she is better than any other? If we all would act with humility, our differences would disappear.
Sent July 7, 2017

Violence is never funny...

How can violence ever be excused with, "I was only joking!"
Sent July 6, 2917

Ignore poor behavior, it works both ways.

I have seen children who are disciplined regularly, get a smile on their faces each time a teacher publically acknowledges poor behavior. As much as our president rants about how he is being picked on, check and see if there isn't just the slightest smirk on his face. He loves the attention he is getting. The advice applies to the press as well. Ignore him. It will drive him crazy.
Sent July 5, 2017

Happy 4th of July...

I am not making this up. Read Naomi Klein's Shock Doctrine. It is a catalogue of our interference in independent nations with the goal of releasing their assets for the benefit of the capitalist doctrine. Nothing will change if we do not stand up for the rights of all people, not just for Americans.
Sent on July 5, 2017

How is arming the world a good idea?

These backroom deals have not made the world a safer place. I read recently that "every disenfranchised farmer in Africa is armed with an AK-47. How is that a good idea?
Sent July 5th, 2017 (delayed because of the train derailment near Tacoma)

Our voices are being heard!

Yeah for the American people! We are standing up for what is right and just! Our voices are being heard. Keep it up!
Sent July 1, 2017

Leave the world a better place...

Leaving the world a better place than we found it. Isn't that a grand goal? If we all committed to this little bit of justice and compassion, we would all have done our part in the work for peace.
Sent July1,2017