Terrorist Deals

The White House and Congress are considering playing “Let’s Make a Deal” with terrorism and national security. They could call this plan “Quid Pro Quo for Terrorists”. The Administration would change the scheduled New York trial of Khalid Shekh Mohammed from a civilian trial in New York into a military tribunal at some unknown location. Congress would fund the closing of Guantanamo. This allows Congress to decide which bad policy they want.

The American people are very disgusted with Washington’s deal making. We want a third choice. We want the terrorists tried in military tribunals and these enemy combatants to be held outside the United States. Trying terrorists in civilian courts will be a dog and pony show – a political circus. They are also unnecessarily lengthy, expensive, and will compromise national security. Holding detainees in this country jeopardizes the security of American citizens. It paints a big red target on the communities that surround the prisons at which they are held.

Congress controls the purse strings. Only Congress can provide the funding to close Guantanamo. We ask you not to do this.

The Administration controls the location and type of trials for enemy combatants. Let this be on their shoulders. They will be held responsible. If they choose to ignore the American people, they will pay the cost of their decision. The Administration would be wise to remember that this will be a front and center issue in 2012.

I ask Congress not to accept either bad idea – not the one for detention nor the one for trials of enemy combatants. This would be a “bad” deal for the country.

Signed,
The Electorate

Auto Maker Bankruptcies

From a letter sent June 11, 2009.

To Congress,

These bankruptcies are wrong and unfair in so many ways. Their legalities are questionable. These companies were not allowed to go through normal bankruptcy. Our bankruptcy laws were not followed. These were "structured" bankruptcies. Who made up that term? The sole purpose seemed to be to protect the unions and too bad for everyone else. Those who should have been reimbursed first were put at the end of the line. Unions are bragging that they kept their base pay, benefits, and pensions and now own part of the company too.

If we are a nation of laws, why didn't we follow them? Dealers were hung out to dry. Using some unknown criteria profitable dealers were terminated - even though dealerships do not cost the auto companies anything. Whom you knew or whom you supported seemed to effect whether or not you were terminated. This is cronyism. It's not just politics as usual, it's Chicago politics as usual. These dealers have an inventory of millions sitting on their lots. Within a certain time frame they may sell them for whatever they can get. After that date if they sell them the warranty will not be honored. If Chrysler or GM made these new cars, they should honor the warranty even from a dealer that they do not now authorize.

Many of these dealers will be forced into bankruptcy, but they won't get special deals. They will have to abide by regular bankruptcy laws. Due to government intervention auto dealerships are going to fail and jobs will be lost. That should help the economy! But at least the unions are safe!

Signed,
The Electorate