8/6/07 - Senator
- What we need is dialog that leads toward Peace, NOT threats to invade
Pakistan (or any other country for that matter). I believe you made a
huge tactical error which has alienated many people who may have voted
for you. There is no way you can talk your way out of this mess or
defend your warlike position. If you truly want to do something, how
about leaning on Israel to bring about a settlement with the
Palestinians? America's undying, one-sided support of Israel is one of
the leading causes that brought us to this point. Four days ago I sent
a letter to all 43 Jewish members of Congress.
http://countercurrents.org/daly020807.htm. While several have
acknowledged receipt, none have pointed out the very obvious error in
the first line of the letter which leads me to believe no one in
Washington actually reads Citizen mail, no do they actually care.
Sadly,
Thomas Daly
8/10/07
- In your reply to me today, you say, "Thank you for contacting Senator
Obama about his plans to protect America from terrorism. Senator
Obama laid out a comprehensive plan for a new 21st century foreign
policy that was hailed by foreign policy and human rights experts as a
reasonable, balanced approach that would defend America and rebuild our
relationships and credibility abroad..."
"We encourage you to look beyond the headlines and read about the
Senator’s plan here:"
I read all 8 pages - 3570 words - AND, not one word about Israel and
Palestine!
Again I will say, If you truly want to do something, how about leaning
on Israel to bring about a settlement with the Palestinians?
America's undying, one-sided support of Israel is one of the leading causes that brought us to this point.
I've
listened to all of the debates and no one has asked about Israel and
there has been no discussion on the subject. Senator Obama and the rest
of the candidates are deathly afraid to even mention Israel for fear
that AIPAC will climb all over them!
Once again I ask you to read
the letter I sent to all 43 Jewish members of Congress
http://countercurrents.org/daly020807.htm
Thomas Daly
8/14/07
- Senator - In your latest reply to my questions about the
Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, you say, "...What is needed is a far more
vigorous U.S. diplomatic effort to help them achieve it. But the
current administration has sat on the sidelines for far too long.
As president, I would make a personal commitment to this effort."
You
go on to say, "Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East, and we
are obligated to help ensure its security. A negotiated peace
with the Palestinians would make Israel more secure and allow the
Palestinians to achieve their goal of an independent state. We
should be doing more to strengthen Palestinian leaders who support a
two-state solution, isolate those who seek Israel's destruction, and
help the two sides reach negotiated solutions to all outstanding
issues."
You say you will make "a personal commitment to this
effort." Does that commitment include adding it to your 8-page Policy
Statement? Does that commitment mean being honest in giving the
Palestinians, ALL Palestinians, a fair hearing? If there is to be peace
in the region, it will ONLY happen if everyone is invited to discuss
the numerous issues. There will never be peace if the U.S. continues
its decidedly one-sided support of Israel at the expense of the
Palestinians and the rest of the world. The U.S. pressed the
Palestinians to hold fair and open democratic elections. They did that
and, unfortunately, the U.S. didn't like the "democratic" outcome and
refused to play. Rather than sit down and negotiate with ALL
Palestinians, the U.S. has now helped Israel drive a wedge between
Palestinian factions. It will NEVER work! There needs to be, indeed,
there must be peace in the Middle East and the U.S. holds all the cards
and all the keys to solve the problem. It will take special leadership
to bring that about.
Thank you, Thomas Daly
2nd Email
8/13/07Senator - As a follow up to the email I sent earlier today, I
just received an interesting article which further illustrates my point
that the U.S. is harming the peace process rather than supporting it. I
hope you will take the time to read this most informative article: A
Palestinian Miracle At The UN?
By Ramzy Baroud
13 August, 2007
http://countercurrents.org/baroud130807.htm
Thank you again, Thomas Daly
4/21/08
- Senator – I am an ardent supporter of your candidacy and I sincerely
hope you go all the way. It is a nightmare to even think of America
under Republican control for even one day beyond George Bush. My wife
and I have made several contributions to your campaign and will
continue to do so, but I must take issue with you for recent comments
you have made. I hope you are not falling into the political trap of
letting the lobbyists dictate your campaign responses. You recently
said that Hamas did not represent a state and President Carter was
wrong to meet with a representative of Hamas. You also called Hugo
Chavez a dictator. While I don't agree with some Hamas positions or
with Chavez's positions, I must remind you that both “were” elected in
democratically correct elections. Unfortunately the U.S. does not
support those elections and, rather than work with these people, has
thrown up roadblock after roadblock against them.
America's undying
support of Israel at the expense of the Palestinians is shameful. For
too long the U.S. Government has allowed itself to be bamboozled by
PACS such as AIPAC. If Israel really wanted peace with the
Palestinians, they would withdraw to the 1967 borders rather than
continue to build new settlements in Palestinian territory. For you to
throw Carter under the bus, it demonstrates to me that you are not
really ready to solve the Middle East problem.
As to Chavez, he
was elected simply because the U.S. has for the past half century
walked all over Latin American countries. The U.S. installed and
supported terrible dictators like candy. The result is coming home to
roost as more and more countries are taking control of their own
future. Chavez, while no saint, certainly is not a dictator and you are
wrong to echo the “official,” read George Bush, position on him.
All
along you have said you were willing to meet with people America
disagrees with. I fail to see any reason for your sudden change of
position. Carter talked with Hamas because America refuses. Other
countries are embracing Chavez because the U.S. refuses. You say you
want to be the President for Change. To me that means a President who
“will” meet and talk to all comers and also a President who “will not”
let outside interests dictate the direction that both you and I know
America must take.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
5/10/08
- Senator - I have written to you before about your flawed position on
Israeli/Palestinian Peace. You have recently said several times that
you would NOT talk to Hamas and you have a similar position paper on
your website. I call your attention to this article in the Jerusalem
Post and hope you will read it:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1209627047844&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The
article reads in part, "Two American peace organizations, Jewish Voice
for Peace and Just Foreign Policy, presented former US President Jimmy
Carter with a petition Thursday supporting his mid-April meeting with
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.
The petition, which will be presented
to the remaining Democratic and Republican presidential candidates next
week, was signed by 5,000 members of the two groups."
Please do not
let your wonderful campaign be swayed by the efforts of a handful of
Zionists who will do anything to prevent peace in the Middle East. As
the petition says, 64% of Israelis support talks with Hamas.
Peace
in the Middle East should be one of your top priorities when you become
president, however I would rather see you lose the election than see
you cave into the AIPAC line. Please do the right thing!
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
5/11/08
- Senator - Another major Israeli newspaper is trumpting the message
that Israelis and Palestinians want direct talks with Hamas:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/958473.html
From that article:
"Sixty-four percent of Israelis say the government must hold direct
talks with the Hamas government in Gaza toward a cease-fire and the
release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit. Less than one-third (28
percent) still opposes such talks.
The figures were obtained in a
Haaretz-Dialog poll conducted Tuesday under the supervision of
Professor Camil Fuchs of Tel Aviv University.
According to the
findings, Israelis are fed up with seven years of Qassam rockets
falling on Sderot and the communities near Gaza, as well as the fact
that Shalit has been held captive for more than a year and a half."
Furthermore,
in a poll taken by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO). 73
per cent of respondents are in favour of a truce.
The only thing
preventing real peace is a handful of Zionists who, unfortunately, have
long been supported by a misinformed U.S. Government. Again, I hope you
will rethink your position of not talking to Hamas.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
5/27/08
- Senator – Hooray! You're almost there! And it should be cause for
celebration, but you appear to be on the verge of selling your soul in
order to appeal to small blocks of voters and this saddens me.
I
know that the Israeli PACs represent an enormous amount of influence
and I know you must walk as on eggshells around the subject of the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict, but you are playing the part of the fool
if you truly believe peace can be attained without including Hamas and
Hazbolla. For 60 years Israelis have occupied Palestine and, with U.S.
support, they have constantly stirred the pot of discontent. President
Carter should be an ally of yours rather than be the person you
continue to throw under the bus simply because he tells the truth!
The
second group you are dancing around is the aging Cuban-American vote.
To not have normalized relations with Cuba is terrible. For 50 years
the American Government has clearly demonstrated that they are
suffering from a collective erection against Fidel Castro. We're on the
brink of normalizing relations with North Korea. We long ago normalized
relations with Libya, Vietnam, and China. And yet, we somehow cannot
reconcile our minor differences with Cuba? In you latest speech, you
complained about human rights violations by Cuba, and while there are
some, they pale in relation to the human rights violations the U.S. is
practicing on Cuban soil at Guantanamo.
If you become President, and
I sincerely hope you do, I hope you will act differently than you are
speaking. I hope what you are saying is not what you are truly
intending to do. I would rather you lose the election than you bargain
away parts of your soul to obtain the presidency.
One more thing –
Hillary Clinton does NOT belong on the ticket with you! As stated
above, I sincerely hope that you will not let the “Party” buffalo you
into selecting Hillary as your Vice President. If you do, I can
guarantee that it will be something you will regret as long as you
live. Please do NOT sellout!
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
6/3/08
- Senator – The media are rattling their sabers to influence you to
“pick” Hillary Clinton as your Vice President. Senator Clinton
represents the exact opposite of everything we believe you to be.
Please do NOT let the “powers that be” force you into this
terrible alliance. To do so will not only harm your presidency, it will
greatly undermine everything you “Hope” to accomplish. Senator Clinton
does NOT represent Change!
Thomas & Jo Ann Daly
5/6/08 - Obama for America
****We urge you to NOT select Hilliary as your V.P.****
She
now appears to be in effect blackmailing you, as if she holds all "17
million plus" voters in her power as their General. That is
nonsense. I believe her to be unscrupulous, devious and
calculating-basically a female version of Dick Cheney-and you would
have to be constantly watching your back with Bill & Hilliary in
the White House. (We do Not respect her, and think she ran a terrible
campaign!)
I believe the American people are basically good and
decent people of good character. When they hear you and learn of your
visions and can assess your character they will support you. We
want the Change you speak so brilliantly about, we want a better
world for our grandchildren, for all children.
There are many
honorable and qualified women & men to select for your very
important V.P. We trust you to select one that will be a person you
truly do respect and one of like character.
Sincerely, Jo Ann Eagle-Daly
6/16/08
- Senator - Why do you continue to insist that Hugo Chavez is a
Dictator? You did it again last night during the Gore endorsement.
While none of us agree with all of Chavez's moves, he was
democratically elected more than once (more than you can say about the
American Dictator George Bush).
Also, while you continue to say you
will NOT talk to Hamas, Israel certainly IS and they are about to enter
into a new peace agreement. This agreement was brought about through
the negotiations led by Egypt.
In both of the above situations I
fear that, rather than speaking the truth, you are simply parroting the
"established" line(s). If the peace agreement is signed, I hope you
will take the time to acknowledge and thank Hamas for their efforts.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
6/17/08 - The World People Organization
Senator
- Currently the WTO is stuck in the important Doha Talks. When I look
at all that is happening in the World, I realize that a WTO is not
enough and it is not "the solution" governments are hoping for. What is
needed is is a new organization, the WPO, or the WPTO. The P stands for
PEOPLE and people are the "commodity" which has been totally left out
of the WTO negotiations. People must become an integral part of the
trade negotiations. Trade should not simply mean greater profits for
multi-national corporations. Trade should not be able to destroy one
country's economy to benefit another. Globalization and trade
agreements MUST first take into account the effect on people. Rather
than drive up the costs of food, governments should be assisting and
encouraging their people back into sustainable crop production on small
plots. (See this BBC article on what is happening in Cuba)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1409898.stm
Not only is this approach providing needed food, it is also providing employment and income for people who desperately need it.
Another
example would be to encourage companies like Nike to build smaller
plants in many countries and make shoes for those local markets,
providing local employment and strengthening the local economy.
Obviously
there are numerous other ways to stimulate economies while also
treating PEOPLE as something other than simply "consumers" or
"customers."
I encourage you to explore these ideas and incorporate them into your campaign for Change!
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
6/21/08
- Senator - Vote NO on the FISA Bill which gives Telecommunications
immunity! I am dismayed and disappointed that the weak kneed House of
Representatives caved into the crooked Bush doctrine and decided
covering their own backsides is more important than the Constitution.
Please have the courage to not support this assault upon the 4th
Amendment!
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
6/22/08 - Senator - This is the list from your Foreign Policy Page:
* Ending the War in Iraq
* Iran
* Renewing American Diplomacy
* Nuclear Weapons
* Building a 21st Century Military
* Bipartisanship and Openness
* On Israel
* On Africa
Within
all of these topics I don't see a word about America's role and
policies with Latin America. Having spent many years traveling
throughout the entire area, I can tell you from my own personal
observations that the actions of the United States on this vast area
has been (and continues to be) devastating. In speeches you continue to
complain about Hugo Chavez who is a kitten compared to the countless
dictators the U.S. has supported over the years. Untold numbers of
innocent people have died as a direct result of America's "Foreign
Policy" in Latin America. Trade agreements such as NAFTA have destroyed
local economies while enriching big corporate interests. I hope you
will devote much more of your Foreign Policy statements to programs
that will recognize and correct the ongoing problems in Latin America
directly caused by America's wayward policies.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
6/22/08
- Senator - Regarding your Early Childhood and K-12 Education, the most
important tool we can give young people is the ability to read and
comprehend. Before it is possible to teach any other subject, students
must be able to read well. Reading and comprehension , along with
social skills, should be the only subjects taught until children are
skilled and their minds can be opened to further learning. The social
skills teach children to get along with others their age as well as
working well with adults.
Many schools today are nothing more than
glorified babysitting locations where testing is far more important
than real knowledge.
On the subject of babysitting, I suggest that
the U.S. enter into a program of training a number of "welfare" mothers
to become child care providers who will watch and teach the children of
other "welfare mothers" who will then be able to work. As an example,
if the government paid 16 "welfare mothers" to work in child care
centers, it would allow 84 other "welfare mothers" to join the
workforce knowing that their children were safe and in good hands. I
use the term "welfare mothers" to cover all sorts of situations where
people are prevented from working because of the cost and
unavailability of good child care.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
6/22/08
- Senator - Everyday I see more of our Civil Rights disappear and,
sadly, Congress is complicit in the process. After 911 Congress quickly
adopted, without reading, The Patriot Act which was anything but
Patriotic! It should be repealed! Bush has all but eliminated habeas
corpus and Congress continues to sit on their hands. The entire FISA
bill should be unconstitutional and yet Congress continues to support
and expand its scope. Prisons are being privatized, everyday new crimes
are put on the books. The great bulk of prisoners in America are there
for non violent victimless crimes. Their civil rights are being
trampled. All drugs should be legalized and controlled just like
liquor. The tax revenue gained could be used to help fund a "real"
universal health plan.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
6/22/08 - Senator - This idea can also be applied to the Economy.
Way
back in the early 60's my Father, faced with a huge financial burden of
building schools in the growing district where he was Assistant
Superintendent, discussed the problem over dinner on several occasions.
These discussions lead to a proposal he and I concocted to present to
the California Department of Education, which would have saved
California school districts billions of dollars over the last 40 years.
The
idea was to have a library of pre-approved plans, available in
Sacramento where any school district could visit and select
construction plans that fit their particular criteria. There would be
many plans available and they could be mixed and matched to fit the
need and the job site. Buildings could be oriented in any direction. In
many cases windows could be moved from one side to another or added to
both sides. Multi-purpose buildings could serve as gyms, cafeterias,
and meeting halls. Buildings could be painted different colors.
We
estimated that the average school district could have saved nearly one
million dollars per school (in 1960), because the only costs, other
than construction, would be in site development. Even the construction
costs would be lower because contractors would not have to be
continually trying to reinvent the wheel, so-to-speak, as they
interpreted new plans. In many cases parts could be prefabbed and
shipped cheaper than constructing them on site.
Dad composed a
letter to the State School Board and the reply, which was very rapid,
basically said not interested! Mention was made of alienating
architects and taking control away from individual districts. The idea
died and with it the chance for California taxpayers to save untold
billions.
The idea still has merit and could be applied to all kinds
of public buildings to save American taxpayers untold billions as well.
Every library and federal courthouse does not have to be totally
different. Look around you at the plethora of public buildings and
you'll soon see that the opportunity to save in new construction is
huge.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
7/2/08
- Senator - Regarding the pending FISA legislation which you say you
intend to support, I agree with many of your reasons. However, since
the Senate has put off a decision on this bill temporarily, I would,
once again, urge you to vote NO.
Since Bush has only 6 more months
to damage America and the World, I think it much better that Congress
put off legislation on FISA until we have a new President (Obama) and,
hopefully, a Democratic majority in the House AND Senate.
There is
much talk today about the fact that the pending legislation does not
grant any type of "criminal" immunity for telecommunications companies,
and, therefore it may be alright to pass the bill now and let the
"civil" immunity be adopted. If these companies can ever be found
guilty of criminal violations, I fail to see why any legislator would
want to grant them civil immunity in the rush to pass flawed
legislation.
FISA and the entire package of "Patriotic" bills need
to be thoroughly reviewed, revised, and rewritten. This should be a
high priority of the 2009 Congressional session. You say you are
planning to vote for this terrible bill. Please, rethink your position,
the Democratic Party's position and the World's opinions regarding this
secretive court. Don't give Bush and his minions any additional tools
and/or protections is his flawed war on terror. Vote NO!
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
7/9/08
-Senator - It is a sad day for the Constitution you claim to stand
behind! Your yes vote on FISA was a terrible mistake. There is no way
you can justify that vote as anything but pandering boldly to the
right and bowing to the Bush Doctrine.
This
vote troubles me greatly as I believe it portends your true agenda.
You are in the process of being crushed by the desire for power. When
you choose to support telecommunication companies (corporations) over
civil and human rights, America and the world are in great trouble.
Hopefully you will not further compound your arrogance by choosing
Hillary Clinton for your running mate.
Shame
on you!
Thomas
Daly
Retired
California Newspaper Publisher
7/11/08
- Senator - Thank you for your response regarding your vote on FISA.
You start by saying, " Given the grave threats that we face..."
Senator, the grave threats we face are in Washington! The economy is
in the tank and Bush is on the ragged edge of going to war with Iran.
Iran is not a threat - Bush is!
Then
you say, "I have also opposed the granting of retroactive
immunity to those who were allegedly complicit in acts of illegal
spying in the past." If this is true, then why in God's name did
you just vote to give them immunity???
You
add, "But given the legitimate threats we face..." Just
what are these "legitimate" threats? Bush, Chaney and their
ilk are a legitimate threat and yet you voted to allow them to
further trample the Constitutional Rights of Citizens of America and
the World!
Obviously
I am not happy with your twisted logic, but I still hope you become
the next president. You conclude with, "I will carefully monitor
the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work
with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to
protect the lives - and the liberty - of the American people."
FISA and the entire Patriot Act need to be done away with. That is
the only "step" you should be considering.
Thomas
Daly,
Retired
California Newspaper Publisher
7/23/08
- Senator - Well, now we know why you caved in and supported
telecommunications immunity. Shame on you! The whole World has such
high hopes for your leadership, but stories like this place a huge
cloud over your ability to lead.
Thousands of people walking around
Denver with Welcome Bags boldly emblazoned with the ATT logo will surly
send a chilling message to the American voters about why the Democratic
Party suddenly decided to throw the 4th Amendment under the bus! I hope
you will take the time to read/listen to this Democracy Now program:
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/22/whos_paying_for_the_conventions_corporate
I'm
also worried about the fact that Denver law enforcement is stocking up
on all kinds of sophisticated equipment in preparation of your
Convention.
Recently Denver Police arrested a little old lady for
having a sign that said McCain=Bush. This arrest is totally wrong! Will
there be NO free speech in Denver during the Democratic Convention?
Hopefully the Democratic Party will lay down the law to Denver Police telling them that you don't want another 1968 convention!
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
7/26/08 - Senator – During your
inspiring speech in Berlin you said, “That is why the greatest
danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another.
The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot
stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with
the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives
and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now
are the walls we must tear down.”
I agree totally and only wish that you
had made a similar statement during your visit to Israel and
Palestine! If you believe your statement, then surely you must see
the urgent need for a negotiated peace settlement between Israel and
the Palestinians - ALL the Palestinians! Israel must be told to tear
down the walls tyranny they have imposed upon the Palestinians along
with the actual separation walls they continue to build.
Speaking of walls, America must stop
building walls along the border with Mexico! America is no better
than Russia or Israel when walls are built to separate People! And
then there is the invisible wall America has erected around Cuba.
Please tear down this wall and normalize relations with Cuba.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
7/28/08
- Senator - In a recent article I called upon you to close the Federal
Reserve if you are elected President. The current atmosphere within the
global financial community speaks volumes about the failure of the
Federal Reserve and the complicity of the U.S. Government in allowing
this sham organization to continue.
In 1934, in the throes of the
Great Depression, Representative Louis McFadden stated on the
Congressional record: "Some people think that the Federal Reserve Banks
are United States Government institutions. They are private monopolies
which prey upon the people of these United States for the benefit of
themselves and their foreign customers; foreign and domestic
speculators and swindlers; and rich and predatory money lenders. In
that dark crew of financial pirates there are those who would cut a
man’s throat to get a dollar out of his pocket; there are those who
send money into states to buy votes to control our legislatures; there
are those who maintain International propaganda for the purpose of
deceiving us into granting of new concessions which will permit them to
cover up their past misdeeds and set again in motion their gigantic
train of crime."
His words ring even more truly today as
speculation and greed march ever forward to crush the middle and lower
classes of America and the World. I urge you to correct this terrible
error which has lasted since 1913.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher
8/24/08
– Senator Biden - Thankfully Senator Obama did not choose Hillary
Clinton and I welcome you as the VP choice. However I don't believe
that someone who has served 36 years as a senator is someone who
represents real change. I hope I'm wrong! While I realize that
"politics" prevents you and Senator Obama from saying
anything negative about Israel or positive about Iran or Cuba, I hope
you will seriously tackle the U.S. Government's wrongheaded position
on these countries as soon as you are elected. There will never be
peace in the Middle East or the World until the United States takes
the position of an Honest Broker in negotiating a lasting settlement
of the Israel/Palestine conflict. For too long the U.S. has allowed
Israel to violate every accord. Israel is an occupying force whose
continued construction of settlements on Palestinian land is clearly
wrong.
Iran
does not represent a real threat and I urge you to help set up urgent
open negotiations between the highest levels of the U.S. and Iranian
governments. And, finally, End the embargo against Cuba! Enough is
enough!!
As
Chairman (and a member) of the Foreign Relations Committee,you have
had ample opportunity to do something positive about the U.S.
position on these countries. Since I have no seen anything positive
coming out of your committee, I'm hopeful that as VP you will take an
active role to bring about the needed CHANGE before it's too late!
Thomas
Daly
Retired
California Newspaper Publisher
9/13/08
- Senators - The Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday
regarding a new plan to give the FBI more power under an Executive
Order signed by George Bush. This is another tragic step to further
erode civil liberties in America. I urge you to put a stop to this
measure which is is intended to allow F.B.I. agents to be more
aggressive and pre-emptive in assessing possible threats to national
security.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/washington/13justice.html?ref=us
The
biggest threat to National Security in the Bush Government!
Please
stop this attempt to trash the Constitution!
Thomas
Daly
Retired
California Newspaper Publisher
9/24/08
- Senator(s) - Please do NOT give George Bush and his "Banksters"
the unlimited power they desire. Do NOT rush legislature just so
Congress can get back on the campaign trail. Congress should and MUST
take all the time necessary to get this crisis under control!
The
following is from Democrats.com
http://www.democrats.com/stop-paulsons-plunder%20
I
urge you to read it and to follow its plan.
Thomas
Daly
Retired
California Newspaper Publisher
"George
Bush wants taxpayers to give Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson a $700
billion blank check - $2,333 for every man, woman, and child - to
bail out Wall Street for its reckless speculation and greed. That's
on top of $1.1 trillion for Bush's other recent bailouts, including
A.I.G., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Bear Stearns.
The
Paulson Plan is a total outrage with no restrictions, no
accountability, and no repair of the underlying problem of
foreclosures on fraudulent mortgages. Each of Bush's previous
bailouts was sold as a cure for the financial crisis, but each had
little effect. The Paulson Plan achieves only one goal with
certainty: stealing from the middle class to protect the rich.
The
current financial crisis is the direct result of 28 years of
rightwing Republican deregulation, corruption, and greed, which
became fatally toxic under Bush-Cheney and the Republican Congress.
When George Bush stole the White House in 2001, President Clinton
handed him a projected 10-year surplus of $5 trillion. But Bush
immediately gave $2 trillion in tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans,
then wasted $1-3 trillion invading Iraq on the basis of lies. Now
Bush demands Congress increase the national debt to $11 trillion.
Congress
must reject Paulson's Plunder and enact a plan with these progressive
principles from the Backbone Campaign:
A.
The people who caused the problem or profited most should pay for it
1.
Highly compensated executives total compensation should be capped or
taxed heavily as a condition for being bailed out.
2.
Tobin tax on all transactions in Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
including currency transactions.
3.
Government takes an equity stake, proportionate to the size of the
bailout
4.
Tax hedge fund managers' income
5.
Accountability - fire executives of failed companies as done in the
UK, and abrogate their severance packages.
6.
Impose a five-year, 10 percent surtax on income over $1 million a
year for couples and over $500,000 for single taxpayers.
B.
Re-regulate to prevent this from happening again
1.
Direct the Federal Reserve to intervene to prevent asset bubbles.
2.
Extend reserve requirements to new security categories
3.
Regulate the packaging of loans so they can be evaluated, rated, and
priced rationally.
4.
Regulate hedge funds and private equity funds in a way comparable to
banks
C.
Include Main Street in the bailout and invest in a new productive
economy
1.
Establish a moratorium on foreclosures, renegotiating mortgages or
institute a rent-to-own plan to keep people in homes.
2.
Create a major economic recovery package which puts Americans to work
at decent wages, in productive jobs that add value to homes and
communities.
3.Invest
the taxes on speculation, executive compensation, and the surtax on
the wealthy in clean energy, infrastructure, education, and health
care."
9/28/08
- Senator - Why is it that the bailout package is being negotiated in
private? Why is this discussion not in public? On CSPAN?
Why
is it that no one will clearly state what the consequences really are
if this bailout is not passed? Everyone dances around the questions!
Is it just smoke and mirrors or does someone have actual proof that
the sky is falling?
Why
is it that Congress is so willingly believing Bush and Paulson about
this so-called crisis? I watched the House and Senate hearings and
learned nothing about the real cause.
Why
is it that the investors who purchased these "bad"
investments are not being held accountable? No one has offered to
help me with my mutual funds which have decreased 58% or my property
values which have decreased 25%.
Why
is the 106 page report not easily available online so ordinary
Americans can read it?
Why
the rush? Will we soon have something akin to the Patriot Act or the
Military Commissions Act or the FISA Act?
It's
a sad time for America and the World! And it's particularly sad
because it appears that the Republicans will probably get away with
blaming the Democrats for this latest crisis!
Thomas
Daly
Retired
California Newspaper Publisher
9/28/08
- Senator - In your first debate there was nothing definitive said
about:
The
Israel/Palestine problem
Immigration,
the Mexican border and the "Berlin" Wall being constructed
there
NAFTA
and its disastrous effects
Latin
America
The
totally unjust Cuban Blockade
The
erosion of Civil Rights in the name of Foreign Policy
Obviously
the list goes on. Perhaps you can figure out a way to address these
important issues in the upcoming debates.
Thomas
Daly
Retired
California Newspaper Publisher
9/30/08
- Senator - In the upcoming debates, when the subject of nuclear
power is brought up, and John McCain again says he supports the
construction of 45 new plants, ask him if he will allow and support
placing spent nuclear fuel in Arizona.
You
need to be more direct and hard-hitting in your responses to McCain's
statements. If he comes back at you and asks if you would allow spent
fuel in Illinois, tell him NO, not until scientists figure out an
absolutely safe way to store this long lasting hazardous material.
Also,
I believe you should explore and talk about other alternative sources
for ethanol, such as switch grass and hemp. America is in a financial
crisis because of lousy regulation. The same can be said about using
corn and soy for ethanol production. This is definitely driving up
the cost of food, animal feed, and many other products. The need for
many fertilizers and the toxic runoff from many crops is having a
disastrous effect on America's water supply.
Thomas
Daly
Retired
California Newspaper Publisher
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