Three senators who have the right stuff

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest,” — Mark Twain

AUBURN — Last night, the nation witnessed three congressmen do what is right and ignored being intimidated by their party and a bellicose president.

Talk about going against the grain.

Republican Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voted the against the GOP’s “skinny repeal” of Obamacare. McCain casted the deciding vote with little fanfare.

Anyway, I am no republican and I have little regard for senate republicans, but I witnessed three people stand up for the country’s citizens, knowing full well it could cost them politically.

Now that is something.

Kudos to them and a round of applause for three leaders who didn’t sell out their constituency.

Despite all the back-biting and mud-slinging going at the White House, three courageous congressman proved America can still think on its feet.

Here is the following thank-you letter I sent to their offices today:

July 28, 2017

Dear Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins,

It is almost unheard of to witness a member of congress going against their political party to do the right thing during a crucial vote concerning millions of lives. Going against the grain will never earn you votes, but I suspect the three of you knew that going into last night’s vote.

But in the middle of the night, all three of you made a tough choice after being strong-armed by your own party and a vengeful president.

Thank you all for not throwing 22 million Americans under the bus. I appreciate your sacrifice and your votes made a critical difference in millions of American lives. All three of you can walk away with pride. You all did something heroic and I wanted to express my appreciation.

The sad part is Obamacare isn’t evil, but if the GOP took the necessary steps to improve it, then the entire party would have looked like heroes.

Look, I am a liberal democrat and a native from the great state of Massachusetts — that is Kennedy country. Of course, I don’t agree with much anything when it comes to the GOP — especially with this current crop of spiteful senators.

I also believe EVERY American deserves health care, not just members of congress or the flippant president, who believes insulting people, especially women, gets results.

But yet, Sen. McCain you fought another good fight. But you have been doing that all along for your nation, whether it was in the air over Vietnam or going head-to-head with your own party. Sen. Collins, I now live in Maine, and I have never voted for you, but last night, you earned my respect for holding the high ground, and that also goes for Sen. Murkowski, who was also leaned on by the White House.

Sen. McCain I wish success in your battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with you.

Kudos to all of you and you have the thanks from a liberal democrat. I know it is hard to believe, but I am sure there of many of us who feel the same.

Thank you again,

Sincerely,

Anthony Blasi

A vote to end stupidity and allowing common sense to prevail

"He knows nothing and thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career."

                                        George Bernard Shaw 

AUBURN, Maine — Frustrated citizens let us stand and give the United States Congress  a rousing round of applause for cleaning up their self-inflicted mess that made the United States appear like a house of cards and the laughing stock of the world. 

Federal workers are back on the job and national parks and monuments are open for business, but that doesn't mean there are no hard feelings between the public and its leaders.

It took over two weeks for our unreliable leaders to figure out that shutting down a government and dragging their heels on raising the debt ceiling wasn't good politics. This debacle was brought to you by a group of self-righteous fools who ended up drawing the ire of their fed-up constituents.

Let's hope citizens who do vote will channel their resentment and disgust at the polls when they cast their ballots.

Never forget that these class clowns made a mockery of our government and shut down a nation in a fruitless and reckless attempt to defund Obamacare that, by the way, was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Of course, there were a few congressmen with the horse sense to put an end to rampant stupidity that was precipitated by a rogue element from within the Republican Party.  You have to hand it to Tea Party members for bringing down the House and Senate with their warped convictions.

But American citizens weren't the only ones shaking their heads. This fruitless attempt to dump Obamacare and refusing to raise the debt ceiling triggered world-wide condemnations from Germany, China and France.

I was proud to see President Obama wouldn't budge on the issue and I cheered when the Tea Party was slapped back and received its comeuppance. 

Sure, congress and the president kicked our budget dilemma down the road and a sequel is already in production and will hit the big screens in February if our leaders can't find common ground and come to a reasonable decision.

That's where you come in — the American voter.   So please don't forget the "Hole in the Wall" gang at the polls because this rogue element doesn't care about its citizens or the harm these out-of-touch men have done to a great country's reputation, character and determination.

Shut it down, Mr. President

"Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."

                                                                                                                                 Mark Twain

AUBURN, Maine — For those of you who are laughing or sobbing uncontrollably at a Congress that doesn't work and play well with others, enjoy the show that never ends in American politics.

This cinematic production has all the melodrama of a film noir movie that has been playing at theaters ever since President Obama was elected. Congress has put on a quite spectacle that is probably equally amusing to the rest of the world, too. 

Sure, Congress's stupidity is certainly entertaining, but their inability to do something, anything, constructive has left us all out in the cold and wondering why this governing body is still collecting a check.

How can America can be taken seriously when our nation's leaders act like a bunch of toddlers in a sandbox?

I campaigned for the president and I am probably the GOP's worst nightmare — a displaced Massachusetts Democrat who lives in the Pine Tree State.

Believe it or not, I still believe in the value of political parties with different ideologies. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat or an independent, your voice is heard at polls. But when our leaders can't find common ground, compromise, and make appropriate decisions for the greater good, you have to ask yourself what the hell are they doing there on Hill.

Right now, the Republicans appear delusional. They are now holding our government hostage because they don't like Obamacare or the president. And the GOP is allowing the Tea Party (but what is really in the tea) to incite such insanity.

Fine! There is no love lost between the president or the GOP, but that doesn't mean unhappy Republicans are entitled to use the U.S. government as ransom to achieve their political agenda.

Mr. President, shut it down now! 

If the Republicans can't understand that their foolishness will trigger a serious round of unemployment and possibly a worldwide economic meltdown, then let the GOP live with their blunders.

It will cost them at the polls.

Sir, these guys  don't realize Obamacare is the law and was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

If Republicans are frightened by the president's healthcare plan, then run for office and try to repeal the law.

Good luck, though!

If the government does indeed close its doors thanks to John Boehner and his group of misguided chowder heads, Obamacare will begin on Oct. 1 anyway — because it is the law.

How can these guys call themselves lawmakers when they don't understand the law?

I think our national leaders have become great entertainers, but when the U.S. government closes up shop and Social Security checks aren't mailed, constituents won't find this sideshow amusing anymore.

Enough with this nonsense from political leaders who lack the common sense to know what it right!

Mr. President, just close it down!