Open Letters to Our Leaders

I'm writing to ask you to oppose the federal Budget Reconciliation Act because it includes provisions to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil prospecting. ANWR is a national treasure that preserves one of the last frontiers of our nations wild lands. The refuge is already threatened by global warming and pollution and should not be pushed over the edge by oil drilling.

Please oppose the Budget Reconciliation Act and encourage your colleagues to act responsibly to preserve our natural resources and wildlife.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Response from Rep. DeGette:

Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). I am pleased to have the opportunity to learn your views and to share mine.

I have consistently voted against legislation to open this area to energy development, and have supported comprehensive energy solutions that move away from drilling and extraction towards conservation and the promotion of alternative fuels. The Republican leadership in Congress has made clear it intends to open ANWR for drilling using a legislative sleight of hand. As you point out, I believe Congress should have an honest, open debate about our nation's energy future, and not attach this controversial piece of legislation to a filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bill. I recently joined my colleagues in sending a letter opposing the inclusion of ANWR drilling in any budget bills, because I share your concerns about protecting and preserving this fertile and diverse ecosystem. Please be assured that I will continue to use my seat on the Energy & Commerce committee to work towards more sustainable energy future for our country!

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to visit my website at www.house.gov/degette for further information, where you can sign up for my e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on current events on Capitol Hill. I look forward to our continued communication.

Dear Editor,

If Mr. Takala had gone to a real school and had not been home-schooled by religious extremists, he might understand that atheism, deism, and theism are all idealist philosophies, while agnosticism is a materialist philosophy. Both idealists and materialists may accept the scientific facts that support evolution as a real natural phenomenon. Furthermore, Mr. Takala has no understanding that in debate, he may not simply join together two random statements and therefor make a connection. It's just too bad that he's probably spent too much time reading President Bush's speeches wherein the same kinds of random statements are joined to make an argument.

If I ever find someone like Mr. Takala's parents teaching in a public school, I'll be home-schooling my kids, too.

Thank you for your time,

Their response:

Thanks for the tolerance!