I’ve written to a number of my representatives over the years and either they, or a staff member personally responded. My first letter was to Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, when I lived near Las Vegas and he was still a Representative in Nevada’s 1st District, back in 1983.

More recently, I wrote to Sen. Lisa Boscola and Rep. Robert Freeman. Within those responses they referenced my query. By doing so, I knew that somebody had actually read what I sent.

Rep. Freeman was honest enough to let me know he appreciated my opinion on the matter, but would still vote in opposition of my view. I appreciated his honesty.

Sen. Pat Toomey, on the other hand, obviously doesn’t have any interest in his constituents. He sends out pre-written letters that never directly answer what is sent him. They are generic in nature and simply tout his campaign rhetoric. Continue reading →

Sen. Pat Toomey (R) announced his candidacy for re-election today.

He lost my vote some time ago when he voted against an amendment (S Amdt 3018) that prohibited the indefinite detention of citizens and lawful permanent residents. He was one of 25 Republicans that tried to defeat that amendment in the Senate. Thankfully, that amendment passed.

His vote told me all I needed to know about how much he values a citizens civil liberties. Continue reading →

During these days I spend toiling in my garden and in my basement working on repairing my foundation walls, it provides me an opportunity to think ahead – beyond the debauchery of how I will spend the money from a winning Powerball ticket I am destined to purchase some day.

Come 2016, there will be a West Easton Council that, I would venture to say, will be unlike any governing body that has overseen borough business in recent years. Every councilperson will have been elected, with no appointees seated, and the mindset of the majority will be a change from the old guard. Continue reading →