Dear Congress....

You haven't fed the hungry. In fact in some cities doing so will get you arrested. Leave food stamps alone.

I don't expect you to heal the sick. But suggestions of cutting medicare or that my relatives should die quietly are disgusting.

I never expected a free home. But bailing out bankers for fraud while ignoring the illegally dispossessed is sick.

My nephews are not balls of fire but do deserve a job that if they show up for it forty hours a week pays a wage they can live on.

My brother is 53. I would like you not to fuck him out of the possibility of retiring with enough for at least food in 12 more years.


Certain things even loyal serfs expected for a life of fealty to a system. If your system cannot provide even that, then prepare for a revolution. It is not we democrats that will take you down, nor those you know as republicans. Independents will "swing" nothing. When children go hungry and loved ones are forced from homes or die from lack of medical care all politicians have failed.

And a system that makes you rich and privileged will die.

Because I really think they need to hear what you wrote and really think about it for a very long time.

to use this as you would like.

I fear they have forgotten what a common life could include. The pride when our flag added two more stars. The fear of training to huddle below our desks for a nuclear strike. What it was like to see the first President who was Catholic like me assassinated. Or that my country called me to service and what that entailed. When to marry was to have a dream and the birth of my first child.

And that now I have 8 grandchildren and will more implacably oppose them than their worst nightmare enemy if their' dreams must be lesser than mine. I ain't asking for much, just that they deliver what they promised in their' contract with me and mine.

fight for those who will inherit this country when you and I are gone.

I don't know how or when this fight will take place (or even if it ever will) but I vow right here and right now to play some part in it, no matter how small that part might be. Even if it's just writing letters and making phone calls. Even if it's just growing a garden and giving food to the poor (as I am doing now.)

...how little to say for a garden given as a gift or just for remembering and helping.....