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by CA Berkeley WV
From last Friday's email. I just got around to translating it tonight.
Dear XXXXXXXX,
The last few weeks have taken me across the Second District from the Eastern Panhandle, to Buckhannon and into Putnam and Jackson Counties in the Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys. I've heard from many of you along the way with your thoughts and concerns ranging from energy to the all-important healthcare debate.
I stopped a couple of places to claim credit for grants or the stimulus money that I did not vote for, but mostly I prefer to keep an arms distance with those sanitary phone town halls.
Thank for taking the time to write to me or for taking the time to stop and say hello. I appreciate hearing from you.
Haven't I gotten good at responding with utterly unrelated political mush these eight years, neither acknowledging your existence nor making a strong argument for my position? Sometimes I do in those one minutes speeches, but nobody watches CSPAN, right?
As I traveled from stop to stop, it became even clearer that West Virginia truly embodies what it means to be an energy state. Over the course of a week I visited an Upshur County home using geothermal energy, a Pendleton County Habitat for Humanity site engaged in "green" building, and multiple homes powered by wind and solar energy. I also spent time with researchers at MATRIC and West Virginia State University, where they're making important strides in new energy technology.
I am so glad I do not have to bother my beautiful mind with those with bad water like Nicky Ray does. And forget that those homes may have been where the pesky people Eastern Panhandle are with all the wind and solar alternates.
And throughout my energy tour, healthcare remained one of the most important issues on the minds of the West Virginians with whom I met. And during stops across the district, in meetings with constituents and in my phone calls and emails, there is no shortage of opinions when it comes to how best to reform our healthcare system.
I know you have opinions, but I will have to check with the guy with a tan to see if I can vote for reform that would help you out. Is Jack Abramoff out yet?
Those who like their current insurance coverage, must truly be able to keep it without fear of being moved into a government-run plan.
So, I heard about those death panels and I guess we have to use them to keep people off of Medicare. Oh, I mean one of the sorority sisters took chemistry, and she hasn't found the fountain of youth.
There is bipartisan consensus on issues like ending coverage denials based on pre-existing conditions, promoting wellness and insurance portability, and seeking lower cost options for the uninsured. My hope is that when Congress is back in session in September we can focus on these areas of agreement.
How did I know Grassley and Enzi were going to go a kamikaze on us this weekend. You know, I'm not really a Republican, right?
As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office with your thoughts and concerns.
We just love hearing from the little people, don't we Daddy? |
