Jim McDermott's letter to MoveOn members. I'm proud he's my Congressman!

[Matariki]

A personal note to MoveOn Members from Rep. Jim McDermott


I'm lucky enough to represent a congressional district that fervently believes in participatory democracy, and constituents count on me to take a leadership role in confronting the problems facing our nation. Let me share my thoughts on some of the most important issues America faces today.

We have known from the beginning that Iraq was a needless war, and now an overwhelming majority of the American people agree. The President, however, stubbornly delivered his State of the Union speech—or, more accurately, his State of Denial speech-and made clear that it is up to Congress to lead our soldiers out of harm's way. The President has repeated the mistakes of Vietnam by ignoring its history. I believe we can use a lesson learned during the Vietnam War to help get us out of Iraq. I am referring to the 1970 McGovern-Hatfield Amendment that marked a turning point in that war. This amendment recognized the power of the congressional appropriations process as a key to ending the war. It took time to succeed, but it worked. I intend to introduce similar legislation soon, because it can unify the Democratic Caucus behind our constitutional responsibility as a co-equal branch of government. Like you, I want U.S. soldiers pulled out of harm's way immediately. With Democrats back in the majority, there is a real chance we can succeed for the good of our nation, our soldiers and the world.

Another issue of deep concern to all of us is affordable health care coverage. I have promoted single payer health care for more than a decade and the latest data makes the most compelling case yet for the need to implement universal health care to cover every American. Today, 47 million Americans have no health care coverage. Millions more are underinsured. The number of employers offering health care benefits keeps dropping, even as employees are being forced to pay a larger share of coverage. I want every American to be protected from medical illness just as we unite together to provide police, fire and other essential services. It's long overdue and people are suffering needlessly as a result.

One of my proudest moments in Congress came just two weeks ago when I was asked by Democratic leadership to manage passage in the House of the last bill in Speaker Pelosi's hundred hours agenda: H.R. 6—Energy Legislation. It included the substance of my legislation last year to stop giving the oil industry tax breaks it doesn't deserve and taxpayer subsidies that siphon $700 million a year right out of the pockets of the American people. I believe H.R. 6 is a down payment on America's future, and the first step toward embracing clean and renewable sources of energy that will help end our addiction to oil. We know global warming is real; we know what causes it; we have an ethical and moral obligation to act on our knowledge and quite literally save the planet.

Finally, America was founded on the principle of freedom, but we have seen our freedoms eroded by the current Administration under the guise of fear. Indeed, we should be afraid—that unless we stand strong, our freedoms will slip away. That's why I stood up for patriotism by voting against the so-called Patriot Act. And I, for one, firmly believe that we should not be beguiled by technology when it comes to voting. Electronic voting should not be permitted without a paper trail.

America faces challenges—and opportunities—in this new century. But until we solve Iraq, its agonizing drain on our nation in people and money will prevent us from making the great strides a great nation like ours is capable of. We cannot shoot our way to peace, but we can reduce the sound of gunfire by raising our voices to demand the guns fall silent and our brave soldiers come home.

Thank you for an opportunity to talk with you today. I hope I am living up to your expectations and I hope you will continue to support my work on our behalf.

Peace.

Congressman Jim McDermott