Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Janet Has Spoken...I Hope Someone Listens

Over the past two weeks, my mind has been racing with thoughts. None of which I could transform into coherent, fluent sentences. Lately, I can't even watch the news because when I do, I feel like a ton of bricks has been slammed firmly on my chest. I keep telling myself to let things go. Reminding myself that our upcoming move is what matters right now. Once I get settled, I can go back to being my annoyingly-passionate-about-all-things-political-self. Because really, I just don't have it in me right now.

Thankfully, Janet has it in her. She is sick of both parties, and the failure of our elected officials to represent her. She wrote an open letter to our nation's leaders (and I use that term "leader" very loosely). She emailed the letter to Glenn Beck. Now some of you are going to click right off this page simply because I mentioned Glenn Beck, and you don't like Glenn Beck. Oh grow up. I don't care much for Keith Olbermann (for pete's sake, he spews when he yells into the camera, and why doesn't someone on his staff suggest he wipe the scummy spit out of his hinges during commercial break). But if you told me there was something important that had been aired on his show, something that I could learn and benefit from, I would read on. Honestly, if you don't read Janet's letter because of your feelings about Glenn Beck, you'll be missing out on a great opportunity. I know, I know it's a long letter, and you're busy. It's still worth your time.
At the very least scroll down and read the last 3 paragraphs! But seriously, please just read the letter!

First, I've posted an excerpt from her interview on Glenn Beck's show. It's followed by the letter she wrote.

JANET: Well, I don't want this. I don't want this fight, Glenn. I don't have the time or the energy or the financial resources for it, but that no longer matters. It no longer matters that I'm able or that I want this fight. I have to take it on. It's not a matter of choice anymore, which is why I wrote the letter.
GLENN: Janet, you have gosh, you just make my heart, you just make my heart so full because this is what I...I don't remember the occasion but I remember I was on the air and somebody saying, you know, why are you talking about the financial stuff? You're just talking everybody down and you're talking the economy down and you're just trying to scare everybody. And I remember passionately with tears in my eyes saying, "I don't want to be this person. I don't want to say these things, but I have to." And to hear you say that, I know exactly what you mean and I'm hearing it more and more.


***(I just have to interject something here....I know how they feel!! I understand. I get it, and I'm tired of people who don't get it attempting to make me feel like a crazy loon because I'm passionate about what's happening in this country! Sometimes even the Captain just shakes his head at me. He doesn't understand my fire when it comes to this stuff; however, he never makes me feel like a loon...thanks sweet husband!)***

JANET: No, I would rather mow my lawn and wash my car and play with my grandchildren.
GLENN: Who wouldn't.
JANET: But I can't now. I cannot, every minute of my spare time now has to be devoted to getting these guys out of office.
GLENN: Janet, how long did it take you to write that letter?
JANET: Probably two hours. Because you go back and you tweak.
GLENN: Have you ever written anything before?
JANET: Yeah, a few things but I mean, not published things but, yes.
GLENN: May I, may I make a prediction. Your letter, in the next 72 hours, will be a letter that is circulated through a good portion of this country on the Internet. I have a feeling your letter may become a rallying cry.
JANET: I hope so.
GLENN: I think it will.
JANET: Because when I tried to e mail it to our representatives and our senators, most of my e mail was blocked, not in their district; they're not interested. But you know what? I don't care if I'm in their district. I'm coming for them, too.
GLENN: Janet, I know for a fact that the White House watches my program. I know that the halls of congress, I've talked to enough people in congress and the Senate that they watch, and those who are on the receiving end of our investigations or our opinions, they watch more than those who are not. Your letter is going to be heard today in Washington and we're putting a petition together with your letter in the free e mail newsletter today. So that goes to about a million people alone there, and I'm going to ask them to please pass it on to all of their friends and let's just watch what happens in the next, in the next week.
JANET: That would be great. The other part of this is the invisible people who can and do represent my views need to come out of the shadows.
GLENN: To stand up.
JANET: I don't know who they are. They're going to get washed away with the rest of them if they don't have the courage to stand up.

Janet's letter:
I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views, or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why ‑‑ what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band‑Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try ‑‑ please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when hewill rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.

Ohhhhh, I love it!! Thank you Janet! Go here to read the entire interview, and here to sign the letter.

14 comments:

Em said...

it only took her 2 hours!!??!! how about 2 years???? at least, that's how long it would take me...

L said...

I have tears in my eyes and goose bumps. I'm busy and I'm tired, but I'm coming for you!

I love it. Oh my how I love it.

I'm linking to your post.

Love you!
L

SnarkyMama said...

Although I totally agree and am thrilled that someone finally heard a "voice"...I can honestly say, "uh, helloooooooo,Snarky Belle has been yelling this at the top of her lungs for quite some time, now." (I think you can yell on a blog).

Snarky...I hate to be the "I told you so" (however, I am your mother, so what more can you expect...I get to do this...Snarkettes, please turn your heads now while I chastise my daughter!).
Dang it, Natalie (this is where I call you by all of your names) I have TOLD you and TOLD you to send your thoughts to "Glenn Beck"..O'Reilly...SOMEBODY! Did you???? Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

"Janet" has spoken, but no more eloquently or passionately than your voice when you speak for us all who are growing battle weary watching the erosion of our lives as Americans and wondering, indeed, "Does that banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

I don't so much feel free anymore and what good does bravery do when you don't stand for the things you believe in...I, too, believe now is the time for "We, the People" to take back our hopes, dreams, and lives as CITIZENS of the United States of America.
-Where do we go to sign up for the "kicking butt, taking names and reclaiming our America" crusade! I am so in the bucket!

Great post, by the way, "Janet" should be proud! :)

You know I love ya! Don't just speak up girl, Speak OUT...the world is waiting to hear what you have to say! Huh? Snarkettes...tell her!

Susan Anderson said...

Maybe I need to take my head out of the sand and start watching the news again. I haven't been able to listen too much lately. It just gets me agitated.

But I guess if Janet can do it, I can.

=)

Unknown said...

Oh I wish I was that smart...
I went to sign and the site is so busy it is temporarily closed! Yeah...for the Patriot American!

SnarkyMama said...

I spent most of the night thinking about the rally cry and a a lot about our trip to the Museum of American History just a short time ago. I cannot express how overwhelmed I was when I walked the corridor and turn left to see the massive flag, our flag that was hanging at Fort McHenry and the inspiration of Francis Scott Key.
Most of my thoughts last night were how incredibly saddened and disheartened our amazing "Patriot" ancestors must be ( or maybe part of their "heaven" is they are unaware, to some degree, of our great nation's decline).
On the other hand, my thoughts turned to the Janets and
Snarky(s). People, simple everyday people, who would rather wash their cars and play with their children and grandchildren. People who are not famous, infamous, celebrity or celebrity wanna-bes..just the you(s) and the me(s)of the world.

I felt that feeling you get when you are so anxious, but yet so excited. The feeling you have when you have to speak in church, or give an oral presentation in school/work, or play in a sporting event, sing in front of a group (or watch your kid or grandkid, someone you love have to "perfom"). You KNOW you/they can do it, you KNOW you/they can. BUT, will it happen the way everyone wants? Will the music start on cue, will the words be remembered, will the judges feel the passion of your words, will the ball be hit, caught, on and on. You want it so badly, you want to hit the proverbial "grand slam in the bottom inning with 2 outs and your team is down by 3."

I want US to join the Janet(s). I want us to feel what YOU have been saying for months and months now!

I want us to help you carry the torch that sparked the flames of passion in each of us to do our part to make it happen, to use our individual strengths, talents, voices and help this country score the winning run. I do NOT want to FORFEIT our freedoms that were won at such a great price...I do NOT want to be so overcome with fear and nervous doubts that I sit idly by.

SnarkyMama said...

So...it's me, again. I am not quite through..sorry!

I want you, specifically, to think back several years ago, not just as late as this past election, but much earlier, when you told me, "Mom, I will NOT register with either political party...I have no choice but to align myself with people who cannot call themselves either. Neither party represents me. I want a PERSON, not a PARTY, to be my voice."
(Note: This is the part when I knew I had a raised a daughter with a brain...she doesn't know who all is at that party and she knows somebody is "spiking the punch" with something that could be dangerous for her to drink!).

That is exactly what has happened. While our backs were turned and "we were not minding our store(s")the people of the
Party(s)have been spiking our drinks. Every sip of American life we take without checking what is really in it has either slowly eroded our own judgments b/c we did not realize the harm being done, b/c some of us have even abandoned our boundaries b/c we have given in or given up and it seems most of America has become so intoxicated by the Party(s) punch they have no idea what is being done to them. Hopefully, we are beginning to wake up and realize that a crime against us all has been committed.
Our morals, values, honor and integrity as a nation have all been violated.... a result of drinking "political kool-aid."

I know your life is very busy right now, but you gave this cry a long time ago, we need YOU to be our voice. Write those letter(s) we have talked about...please. You know that I don't subscribe to many theories of "coincidence" but rather, theories of "providence."

You have made people, in the past few months, who have NEVER thought about politics think..I know you have b/c they have told me so. You have inspired those of us who thought about, wished we cared more and could do more, realize we better care more and we dang sure better do more. You have made those who absolutely disagree with you either see a "different side" to many coins of thought or you have at least made them "think" about looking at another side. YOU have been giving us all your own "rally cry" for quite some time...there is strength in numbers and you speak for many so carry on, my brave, smart, and inspiring daughter...carry on! There are a lot of "you(s) and me(s)" right behind you. You lead, I will follow!

We, the People have to stop drinking the Party(s) political kool-aid.I fear far too many of us have become dangerously "punch-drunk!" You can do this. I can do this. WE ALL can say, "Party(s) OVER...WE are taking back our HOUSE!

Snarky/Snarkettes...loving you all!

SnarkyMama said...

O.K. I am done now! :)

jen said...

I'm exhausted just reading Snarky Mama's diatribes. When's your blog coming, huh? When can we count on your voice, too?
How does all this make me feel? A little scared, a little fearful. I mean, this two-party system has been in place since the early 19th century, and the parties as we now know them date from the Civil War. Think how scary it must have been to stand up for the right during his time. Maybe those who stand up will be as notable as Seward, Grant, and Abe himself.

But is this where we're heading? A Civil War?
If so, sign me up with Lincoln.

SnarkyMama said...

oops, Jen...This is all Snarky Belle's fault. She is the one who found and pushed my "political" button. (Also, could be part of the lawyer side showing through!).
I promise I did not mean to sound bitter nor abusive, just passionate. I did not want you to be exhausted (however, Snarky will tell you I do love a good "soapbox" preferably a pink one!) :) So,get rested up, honey, the troops are gonna need ya! Consider yourself in the bucket right beside me!

And the blog, well, I am waiting on the Belle to take a break after her move and help me..I am a blogging neophyte! Thanks for the encouragement...oooooooooooh, just imagine how exhausting for all of y'all that could be!

karen said...

I'll just say a simple "Bravo!" Great letter, well said. We all need to get excited about getting involved.

Fiauna said...

Bravo to the whole thing with a special Amen to number eight from me!!! My husband owns his own business. If it weren't for him and his partners, twenty people would be out of work with no health insurance coverage. The government needs to step back, and stop hating the very people that keep it running.

little jill said...

It's fun to hear other people say the things I'm thinking.

Allie said...

I loved the letter. I am so tired of all the lies coming from both of the parties, also. I want a representative that actually represents the people who elected them and not the political party they belong to.