Independence Day Call to Action

by: freedom works | published: 06 30, 2008

Independence Day is a great time to get together with friends and family to celebrate the birth of our nation and reflect on all the things that make it great.  It also is a perfect opportunity for citizens to speak directly with their elected officials about important issues facing the nation.

As your Representatives and Senators prepare to return home for the Independence Day recess, I wanted to take the time to update you on the status of some important legislation being rushed through Congress.

Dodd-Countrywide Housing Bailout

First of all, a big “thank you” goes out to everyone who has been fighting alongside us to stop the irresponsible bailout of the riskiest borrowers and their banks.  Thanks to your efforts, we have been able to shine a bright spotlight on some of the worst parts of the $300 billion Dodd/Frank Mortgage Bailout Bill. This includes the “VIP” loan scandal that revealed that Senators Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad had received special loan rates from Countrywide Financial, as well as Senator Charles Grassley’s provision that would require online retailers such as eBay and Amazon to report details of online transactions to the federal government.

Although we have been able to delay a final vote on the bill until after the July 4th congressional recess, there is still more work to be done.  On June 26, the Senate held a vote on a part of the bill, which passed by a vote of 79-16.  Even though we lost this vote, the silver lining is that the number of Senators who are joining us in opposition to the bailout continues to grow.  The following is a list of the heroes in the Senate who took a stand against the bailout:

Barrasso (R-WY)       Coburn (R-OK)    Inhofe (R-OK)
Bond (R-MO)              Cornyn (R-TX)      Kyl (R-AZ)
Brownback (R-KS)    Crapo (R-ID)        Thune (R-SD)
Bunning (R-KY)         DeMint (R-SC)     Vitter (R-LA)
Burr (R-NC)                Ensign (R-NV)    
Chambliss (R-GA)    Enzi (R-WY)

If your Senator is on this list, contact him and thank him for showing leadership by opposing the bailout and encourage him to keep up the good work.  In addition to these Senators, President Bush has threatened to veto the bailout if it reaches his desk

There are still two more votes scheduled for this bill in the Senate before it moves to the House of Representatives.  Please take the time to contact your Representatives and Senators to urge them to join their colleagues who have stood up to irresponsible government by voting NO on the Dodd/Frank Mortgage Bailout Bill.  The Capitol Switchboard number is 1-866-928-3035.

The Pelosi Energy Package

This summer has seen gas prices surge past $4.00 per gallon across the country.  In response, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has proposed an energy package that would scapegoat the oil companies, but that would provide absolutely no relief from the pain at the pump.

While average Americans struggle with high gas prices, it seems that Congress is satisfied with playing politics.  Tell your Representatives and Senators that we are tired of the same old political games and that we need real solutions to the energy crisis.  It simply does not make sense for the United States remain dependent on foreign oil from unstable parts of the world while its own resources sit idle.  Until an economically viable source of alternative energy can be found, the only solution to bring down the skyrocketing cost of fuel is to open up the vast reserves contained in the OCS and ANWR for exploration and drilling.

Gas Price Protest

Recently, FreedomWorks and its coalition partners launched www.gaspriceprotest.com - a website where people can discuss how the high cost of gas is affecting their daily lives.  The site has already accumulated more than 35,000 signatures and comments from Americans who are upset over outrageous fuel prices.

Gas Price Protest is more than just a place to vent, however.  It is also an open letter to Congress to say that something must be done to relieve the pain at the pump.  The website groups comments by state, which allows FreedomWorks activists to regularly deliver them to Congress.  If you have not done so already, please take a few minutes to visit www.gaspriceprotest.com and add your name to the growing list of Americans taking an active role in pressuring Congress for real solutions to the energy crisis.

James Madison, in Federalist No. 49, wrote that “it is the reason alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government.”  At this time of the year, it seems appropriate to remember that the ultimate power in the American system lies not with the politicians in Washington, but with the people.  In between the fireworks and barbecues, please take the time to visit with your elected officials at their offices or at town hall meetings and remind them of this truth – that their purpose is to serve the interests of the people.

On behalf of everyone here at FreedomWorks, have a safe and happy Independence Day

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