Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

NanceGreggs

(27,815 posts)
Sun Feb 12, 2017, 10:48 PM Feb 2017

I Would Like an Explanation

TO: (Republican senator, congressman, governor, etc.)

As an American citizen, I would like an explanation as to what you or your party have done that is of any benefit to the people you were elected to serve. I have given this question much thought – and, truth be told, I cannot think of a single thing the GOP has done for the betterment our country or the citizenry in decades.

I would like an explanation as to the following:

What is to be gained by your nomination, support, and election of a president who is clearly unfit for the job? How do your fellow citizens benefit from his inexperience and incompetence? How is our nation made stronger or safer by a POTUS who is reviled the world over, who insults our allies and praises our enemies?

What is achieved by putting incompetent people in cabinet positions – in many cases, people who have admitted their lack of knowledge as to what their positions even entail? What great national good is to be accomplished by placing outspoken racists in positions of power?

We understand your position on abortion. But what is the purpose of curtailing access to birth control? What is the benefit to the country of having women treated as second-class citizens who are told what they can and cannot do with their own bodies, while being denied the means of avoiding pregnancies they do not want, or having children they cannot afford?

Where is the societal good in cutting funding for things like food stamps and education? How does the nation benefit by children going hungry – or children growing up to be ill-educated adults? We have all seen the stats – US education is already woefully behind that of children in many other nations. What is the purpose in making things worse than they already are?

Where is the contribution to the country in denying the rights of LGBTers? How does discrimination against them contribute to the betterment of any citizen – straight or gay? Gays are not deterred from what you call their “lifetsyle” by discriminatory laws – and straights do not benefit in any way from the denial of those rights. So what is the goal here?

How does deporting illegals make life better in any way for legal citizens? Everyone already knows – and have known for decades – that illegals are not “stealing jobs” from Americans – they are performing work that Americans don’t want to do, at wages no American will accept. They have become a part of our society – what is accomplished by expelling them?

How is the populace served by having their right to vote diminished by legislation that makes voting increasingly difficult and, in many cases, downright impossible? How is the country benefited by ensuring that the “will of the people” is repeatedly quashed?

What lofty ideal is achieved by taking healthcare coverage away from millions of citizens? What benefit is there to having increasing numbers of Americans sicken and die for lack of affordable healthcare?

I am at a complete loss in trying to think of anything Republicans have done in decades that has been in the best interests of the populace. You have done much to deny rights, but nothing to protect rights. You have taken funding away from programs that benefit the people, and have wasted countless taxpayer dollars trying to overturn the things that are of benefit, like Obamacare.

You have fought against raising the minimum wage while giving tax breaks to those earning tens of thousands of dollars per hour. You have continually promoted legislation that makes the wealthy wealthier, the middle-class poorer, and the truly poor desperate to merely survive.

You have done everything in your power to take power away from the People you claim to represent. You have accomplished nothing FOR those people, while finding ways – consistently and repeatedly – to work AGAINST their best interests.

If you have any explanation whatsoever for why this is the case, I’d be interested in hearing it – and so would we all.

Yours Truly,
Nance Greggs


________________________________________________________________________________


I plan to email this letter to every elected Republican, a dozen or so at a time each day. Anyone wishing to do the same is free to copy-and-paste, and replace my name with your own as the signatory.

56 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I Would Like an Explanation (Original Post) NanceGreggs Feb 2017 OP
If you wrap the letter around a large campaign contribution, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #1
Actually that's not true. Back a year or two ago when Congress was going after Obama.... George II Feb 2017 #50
That is nice to hear. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #54
I will take you up on your generous offer, Nance mcar Feb 2017 #2
K&R Gothmog Feb 2017 #3
Thank you. sheshe2 Feb 2017 #4
Will do! Lifelong Protester Feb 2017 #5
Thank you, Nance. brer cat Feb 2017 #6
I'm going to share it around on FB. Kath2 Feb 2017 #20
Good idea. brer cat Feb 2017 #21
Thank you. Kath2 Feb 2017 #24
thanks, Nance ! flying_wahini Feb 2017 #7
I once offered $20 to a Republcan I met at a party if he could name just one thing Republicans world wide wally Feb 2017 #8
Seriously? He didn't even try to sell the "tax cuts" meme? bullwinkle428 Feb 2017 #23
Straight to Iraq world wide wally Feb 2017 #25
Wonder what he thought was so great about that? calimary Feb 2017 #38
In addition to sending this to the appropriate legislators, madamesilverspurs Feb 2017 #9
Thank you for this! volstork Feb 2017 #10
That will be money very well spent! CaliforniaPeggy Feb 2017 #11
Absolutely! volstork Feb 2017 #13
I have 2 Fed Senators & entire State govt Repuke, have *NO* representation, why would they answer me UTUSN Feb 2017 #12
I disagree!.....Republicans have done a great Job.. busterbrown Feb 2017 #14
Spelled out perfectly. oasis Feb 2017 #15
Very succinct Kimchijeon Feb 2017 #16
Excellent Questions Leith Feb 2017 #17
Great letter! radical noodle Feb 2017 #18
Thank you so much, Nance. Kath2 Feb 2017 #19
Thank you. triron Feb 2017 #22
K and R - bookmarking LeftInTX Feb 2017 #26
Dear Ms. Greggs, HassleCat Feb 2017 #27
Dear Ms. Greggs, calimary Feb 2017 #39
People used to go into politics for the betterment of their voters and communities. To notdarkyet Feb 2017 #28
Well that about covers it doesn't it?! eom LittleGirl Feb 2017 #29
How'd you know what I was thinking? The Wizard Feb 2017 #30
I could answer all those questions as I have Republicans in my family. Doodley Feb 2017 #31
I want one Republican to answer: Name one country, present or past, you want US to be like. Hamlette Feb 2017 #32
Excellent letter. But I have found that unless they represent you, most congress folk will not LuckyLib Feb 2017 #33
easy to find a zipcode handmade34 Feb 2017 #49
I've done that. But we shouldn't have to. LuckyLib Feb 2017 #55
Thank YOU! StarryNite Feb 2017 #34
K&R... spanone Feb 2017 #35
Good questions Dem2 Feb 2017 #36
I. Love. This! herding cats Feb 2017 #37
Thank you so much, Nance, for calling out the republican party Cha Feb 2017 #40
Sending to our Bettie Feb 2017 #41
Personally to.. coco22 Feb 2017 #42
Recommended panader0 Feb 2017 #43
Great letter-Loove it! VaBchTgerLily Feb 2017 #44
They Made America Great Again IronLionZion Feb 2017 #45
thank you, Nance. copying and sending off to my idiots for starters. niyad Feb 2017 #46
Nance... ailsagirl Feb 2017 #47
So good!!!!!!! BlancheSplanchnik Feb 2017 #48
Wonderfully expressed. It's all there. Thank you so much! VOX Feb 2017 #51
Why would they want to live in the world they are creating? flor-de-jasmim Feb 2017 #52
I'm in. JeaneRaye Feb 2017 #53
Going to Use Postal Mail democratpeg Feb 2017 #56

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
1. If you wrap the letter around a large campaign contribution,
Sun Feb 12, 2017, 10:51 PM
Feb 2017

you might receive a response.

A very nice letter, by the way.

George II

(67,782 posts)
50. Actually that's not true. Back a year or two ago when Congress was going after Obama....
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 08:35 PM
Feb 2017

....about terrorism, Representative Peter King of NY lambasted his own party members about it. I was so impressed with his (rare) non-partisanship that I left a thank you message on his website with my name and address. Even though I live in Central Connecticut and am not a constituent of his, a few weeks later I got a really nice letter in the US mail (not email) from him thanking me for my comments.

No campaign contribution involved, and then this year I received a nice Christmas card from him and then a wall calendar highlighting great moments in American (not necessarily partisan republican) history.

Although I disagree with about 95% of his politics and policies, it was refreshing to see that even some republicans can put their party aside when it comes to the good of our country.

brer cat

(24,578 posts)
6. Thank you, Nance.
Sun Feb 12, 2017, 11:37 PM
Feb 2017

I have been struggling to write a letter to make these points, but I have not hit it. I will take you up on your offer and start sending copies of this tomorrow.

Love you, Nance. You are our light in this great darkness.

world wide wally

(21,744 posts)
8. I once offered $20 to a Republcan I met at a party if he could name just one thing Republicans
Sun Feb 12, 2017, 11:44 PM
Feb 2017

Have done in the past 30 years that benefitted average Americans. What he came up wth will shock you like it shocked me.
He said that we bombed Iraq.

So, there is living proof that you are exactly right.

calimary

(81,323 posts)
38. Wonder what he thought was so great about that?
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 03:53 AM
Feb 2017

He sounds like one of those armchair "warriors" who, typical of most of 'em, has no skin in the game.

madamesilverspurs

(15,805 posts)
9. In addition to sending this to the appropriate legislators,
Sun Feb 12, 2017, 11:49 PM
Feb 2017

I'll share it for others to send, and suggest it be used as a starting list of questions on the off chance that those legislators might someday hold a town hall where we can ask them face to face (as if!).

Thank you! Again.


.

UTUSN

(70,711 posts)
12. I have 2 Fed Senators & entire State govt Repuke, have *NO* representation, why would they answer me
Sun Feb 12, 2017, 11:58 PM
Feb 2017

busterbrown

(8,515 posts)
14. I disagree!.....Republicans have done a great Job..
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 12:00 AM
Feb 2017

feeding a steady diet of hate to ignorant Right Wingers which in turn has severely crippled our middle class...
I’m sure I don’t need to explain further....Good Job N.G.

Kimchijeon

(1,606 posts)
16. Very succinct
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 12:05 AM
Feb 2017

Thank you. Their actions defy all logic. It would be great to hear an explanation, however unlikely. Much explaining to do.

Kath2

(3,075 posts)
19. Thank you so much, Nance.
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 12:07 AM
Feb 2017

I will be sending that to every Republican politician.

We understand your position on abortion. But what is the purpose of curtailing access to birth control? What is the benefit to the country of having women treated as second-class citizens who are told what they can and cannot do with their own bodies, while being denied the means of avoiding pregnancies they do not want, or having children they cannot afford?

That paragraph is just awesome. I'm 58 and I never needed an abortion but I was confident that I could if needed and I had easy access to birth control. I want young women to have more freedom than I did, not less.

Everything about your letter is right on.

Peace.

 

HassleCat

(6,409 posts)
27. Dear Ms. Greggs,
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 12:30 AM
Feb 2017

To better understand our solutions to society's difficult problems, we suggest you pack dry ice up your nose until your brain freezes, watch several days of Fox News and televangelists, arm yourself to the teeth, buy a huge gas guzzler pickup truck, and fly the confederate flag. Then everything will be clear to you.

Very alternatively yours,
Your Republican Friends

calimary

(81,323 posts)
39. Dear Ms. Greggs,
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 03:55 AM
Feb 2017

Pay NO attention to any of these apostates. All they do, every time they open their yaps, is to reconfirm how stupid and arrogant they are.

You pose some most worthwhile questions here.

notdarkyet

(2,226 posts)
28. People used to go into politics for the betterment of their voters and communities. To
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 12:31 AM
Feb 2017

Help provide the needs of education, infrastructure, health care. Things that will benefit the world around them. Money has always been a negative factor but citizens united made it totally corrupt. I honestly wonder if we should just start over.

Doodley

(9,095 posts)
31. I could answer all those questions as I have Republicans in my family.
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 12:45 AM
Feb 2017

However, none of the answers would be coherent and they wouldn't match with the facts. What I am saying is that people actually believe Republicans are good for America. I completely disagree with them. Their view of the world is very different to ours and it is very frightening.

Hamlette

(15,412 posts)
32. I want one Republican to answer: Name one country, present or past, you want US to be like.
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 01:02 AM
Feb 2017

I can't believe that they don't look to other governments and think "this is right, or that is wrong". I see things I like in European countries for instance but they don't seem to like that. It seems they want Somalia or something. I'm at a loss but I'd like to hear them answer that question.

LuckyLib

(6,819 posts)
33. Excellent letter. But I have found that unless they represent you, most congress folk will not
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 01:08 AM
Feb 2017

allow you access through their email portal. Because you have to enter your zip-code, their system can tell if you are out of district or out of state. I've taken to calling their offices, but they don't get the full effect of such a comprehensive letter.

Has anyone else found a better way to email them?

LuckyLib

(6,819 posts)
55. I've done that. But we shouldn't have to.
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 11:02 PM
Feb 2017

If they can vote on things that affect us nationwide, we should have access to them without having to create a fake persona.

StarryNite

(9,446 posts)
34. Thank YOU!
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 01:11 AM
Feb 2017

I'm going to do it! Let's share any replies we might get from the Rethuglicans that we send it to!

Dem2

(8,168 posts)
36. Good questions
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 01:16 AM
Feb 2017

I've been waiting the majority of my adult life - wondering what is the purpose of their policies other than to toss bones to bitter, angry, jealous people.

herding cats

(19,565 posts)
37. I. Love. This!
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 01:54 AM
Feb 2017

I will be borrowing this, and I thank you for the permission. I'll use my alternative email, since I do my official harassment under my real one.

Very well said! I may borrow some of the concepts of this in the future for my own disgruntled mailings to my elected Republicans if you don't mind that either?

Cha

(297,323 posts)
40. Thank you so much, Nance, for calling out the republican party
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 06:10 AM
Feb 2017

on the indefensible and sending it to them personally!

Bettie

(16,111 posts)
41. Sending to our
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 10:27 AM
Feb 2017

horrible congresscritters.

Sadly, Grassley, Ernst, and Blum are pretty much lost causes.

ETA: Printed, Signed, and mailed.

VOX

(22,976 posts)
51. Wonderfully expressed. It's all there. Thank you so much!
Mon Feb 13, 2017, 08:40 PM
Feb 2017

I will indeed use your text as a reference for my governmental communiques.
Again, thank you!

democratpeg

(1 post)
56. Going to Use Postal Mail
Tue Feb 14, 2017, 12:36 AM
Feb 2017

Thank you for this post! I plan to send this via postal mail. It can easily get marked as spam via email.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I Would Like an Explanati...