First Weasel Word Response

Almost two weeks ago I contacted the entire Kentucky Delegation in Washington D.C. to get their individual positions on H. R. 676 the bill to provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents.

Today I received my first reply. The reply was from Ed Whitfield. The text of the letter is below.

Dear Mr. Long:

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 676, the United States Nation Health Insurance Act. It is good to hear from you and I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

That being said, in the United States House of Representatives we have a long standing tradition know as Congressional Courtesy. This tradition establishes that every elected Member of Congress should have the opportunity to respond to his or her constituents. Following the precedent of Congressional Courtesy, I have forwarded your letter to your Representative Ben Chandler. I hope he is able to address your concerns.

Again, thank you for contacting me.

Sincerely
Ed Whitfield
Member of Congress

This is a typical weasel worded boiler plate response from a Congressman written by a staffer. I expect more to follow.

Congressional Courtesy is In Hill-speak, it dictates that a constituent’s message gets forwarded to their own Member or Senator, though it’s not an official or enforced policy. It is a easy way to dodge questions the member doesn’t want to answer.

I am real happy he appreciated the opportunity to address my concerns. I would have been even happier if he had actually taken a position on National Health Insurance.

So if there is anyone out there that lives in Mr. Whitfield’s district, please ask him this question:

What is your position regarding H.R. 676, the United States Nation Health Insurance Act?

If he answers let me know.

Constitution Free Zone

Sounds like Mitch McConnell is getting desperate. Take a minute to read the load of crap he wrote for the Courier-Journal. Mitch doesn’t want to invite terrorists to the heartland.

“Several days ago during a Senate debate, Democrats proposed moving detained terrorists, who have sworn to kill Americans, out of the secure facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and right into our country -- and keeping them here.”

According to Mitch the prisoners at Guantanamo spend their day “working out on a recumbent exercise bike” and complaining about the “cheap branded, unscented soap."

Mitch makes it sound like the prisoners will be moving down the street and driving an explosive packed minivan to the local Mall. Maybe Mitch doesn’t want the prisoners in a Kentucky jail without all the amenities. But my guess is that he really doesn’t want them removed from the Constitution Free Zone they now occupy.

McConnell is once again using the tactic of fear and misrepresentation to side step the Constitution.

"I suspect most Kentuckians don't want terrorists housed in their backyards. And while I know things can be a lot different in California, Massachusetts or New York, I'm pretty sure the people there are no more eager to welcome these new neighbors."

Apparently the Bush administration and their toadies like McConnell fear the Constitution as much as they fear terrorists.