Open Congress : Comments on Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL]

New comment by americausa

2008-06-13T09:12:11Z

I have been out of work since November 2007. My unemployment benefits have run out. My money has run out. I unable to obtain employment and need more time to continue my search for employment. I am at risk of losing my car. Gas prices continue to rise daily. I am highly skilled in my field. My State Rhode Island is one of the hardest hit with unemployment. I am 53 old and have worked hard all my life. I've paid taxes all my life, and this is how my country is treating me. Unbelievable. The Senate, House and President continue to play games as peoples life's are put in jeopardy. Totally disgusting. So all the extra time that I am not spending on looking for employment, I will dedicate to making sure any politician that votes nay on not extending unemployment insurance will be out of a job their next term by informing the public of their decision in every forum available. I will encourage others to do so as well. It is time in this country for the people to take control of their government again and take it out of the hands of the uninformed, out of touch, uncompassionate, ignorant, greedy, self absorbed fools that are the true terrorists ruining this country. Pass a fxxkxxg bill extending unemployment benefits or you will be out of a fxxkxxg job!!!!!!!!!

New comment by Anonymous

2008-01-15T12:32:35Z

From: Caren.Bryant Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:19 AM To: 'Correspondence_Reply@durbin.senate.gov' Subject: RE: Message From Senator Durbin Importance: High My contact w/you, Senator Durbin, was less about the health plans and more about getting diabetes education given by certified diabetes educators reimbursed by insurance providers along with Medicare and Public Aid. We have millions of people who need education to stop the progress to Type 2 Diabetes, but it isn’t covered by many, if any insurance or government programs. Further, reimbursement to nurses who work as diabetes educators is not reimbursable unless that nurse is working under physically present guidance of a physician. Certification means we are trained to provide the appropriate education to people at risk and who have diabetes. We want to be proactive about the disease process. We want to hold off the complications poor management brings about. Complications, also known as chronic diseases and conditions, drain our insurance dollars. Having affordable health coverage is a big deal. But, being able to use the health coverage to its fullest advantage for the insured is a bigger deal and should be the goal. Thank you for your time, Caren Endocrinology--Courtesy, Care, Commitment--Our Formula for Excellence Caren K. Bryant, RN, BSN Endocrinology Department 217-383-3490 602 W. University Ave. Urbana, IL 61801-2594 ________________________________________ From: Correspondence_Reply@durbin.senate.gov [mailto:Correspondence_Reply@durbin.senate.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:29 AM To: Caren.Bryant Subject: Message From Senator Durbin January 15, 2008 Ms. Caren Bryant 1023 Saint Andrews Cir Rantoul, IL 61866 Dear Ms. Bryant: Thank you for contacting me to share your opposition to association health plans. I share your interest in this issue. Throughout Illinois, whether I am talking to employers or employees, I hear concerns about the affordability of health insurance. I proposed legislation in 1997, and again in 1999, to make health insurance premiums fully tax deductible for the self-employed. My legislation was fully implemented in 2003. I am also working to expand health insurance options and affordability for small businesses and their employees. For the last several years, Senator Lincoln of Arkansas and I have been working for passage of the Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act, which would expand the range of options available to small businesses and consumers in the health care marketplace by giving non-government employees the kind of flexibility and choice that members of Congress and federal government workers currently enjoy. The measure is based on the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), which provides a choice of health plans, the savings that come with group purchasing, comprehensive benefits, and open enrollment periods. Under our bill, the self-employed and employees of small businesses would be eligible to enroll in a health insurance plan similar to those offered to members of Congress. Small businesses willing to contribute a fair share of the cost of their employees' health insurance would be able to offer coverage to their employees through this program with tax credits to help them afford the cost for low-paid employees. Earlier this year, Senator Vitter from Louisiana and Senator Thune from South Dakota proposed an amendment to the Fair Minimum Wage bill (H.R. 2) which would have created association health plans (AHPs). I am pleased that this amendment was not brought to a vote. While I am not opposed to the idea of small businesses joining together through their associations to offer affordable health insurance to their employees, proposals in previous Congresses to create AHPs have had serious flaws. It is important that all Americans have access to affordable health care. I will continue to keep your concerns in mind as I work to provide insurance options to the self-employed, small businesses, and their employees. Thank you again for your message. Sincerely, Richard J. Durbin United States Senator RJD/ns P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join Senator Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee. When the Senate is in session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions. We would welcome your participation. Please call my D.C. office for more details.

New comment by Anonymous

2008-01-27T20:43:45Z

Dear Fellow Americans: >NOTE< IF you agree with this effort, forward this email. BUT if you do NOT agree, just smile and delete. This is NO attempt to influence your vote and NO.... I have NOT been approached or solicited or asked or paid or anything....to "launch this letter". I am reminded that when Americans fail to speak out against what they perceive as bad politics and bad policies, we ALL loose. I have always been a taxpaying and voting citizen. My first vote was for John F. Kennedy. I have felt great disdain for African Americans who vigorously support the Republican Party. When the Clinton's were being attacked by Ken Star and were subjected to the dirty tactics of a smear campaign by the Republican Party, even 'tho personal misbehavior invited that, I wrote letters of support to the Clinton's and, on their behalf, to numerous politicians, media pesons and to church leaders across this nation. In my opinion, this 2008 Presidential political contest is NOT so much about race or/and gender, as it is about POWER. But it MUST also be won ethically and fairly. As it appears to me, BOTH the Clinton's are making a strong case to validate the belief that the abused, once gaining power, may become the abuser. Speaking for myself only, I am grateful that when there was a call for the bus boycott in Montgomery, AL, that NOT one African American Minister called for support of continued segregated busses. Every "chance" to support a candidate is NOT the same thing as an opportunity to promote the GOOD of the people. To express my concern about their actions, I have personally contacted certain community leaders via web addresses, who have been motivated or/ and felt obligated to step forward with unnecessary and untimely "ENDORSEMENTS" or/and divisive debasing comments.OH! What would Adam Clayton Powell think now? ~~~ PLEASE help God BLESS America~~~ It IS our responsibility to step IN here. The media, while we NEED them for information, IS also fanning the flames of a fire that has the potential to become big and dangerous. I hope to have as many people as possible call the Clinton Headquarters; numbers listed below. I have called.YOU tell them: 1. Tell any one who answers the phone that you want to see an end to the negative campaigning 2. That you are a private citizen who does NOT like the personal attacks and distortion of the record 3. That you WILL withdraw support and WILL campaign against ANY candidate who initiates and maliciously perpetrates "personal" and cheap attacks 4. That we Americans want POSITIVE campaigning on THE ISSUES from a leader who seeks to unify, NOT just win .............OR....... say whatever YOU choose, but DO call to say something that may help foster a more civil campaign I have sent this email to HUNRDEDS OF PEOPLE on hundreds of sites including Nat'l Democratic Party, THE CLINTON'S.....library etc et al, COLLEGES, URBAN LEAGUE, NAACP...... talk radio hosts, popular news media......... and HUNDREDS of other people have sent it out also. Pass on AND make YOUR calls NOW. IF people started calling me THE Queen of England, I would likely wonder why, but in NO case would I believe myself to be unequivocally entitled to the socio-political advantages of that office. Maybe someone should tell Bill. He was "NICKNAMED" the first Black President. He wasn't REALLY him. Thanks, Janet OHIO THE NUMBERS FOR YOU TO CALL 4420 North Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22203 703-469-2008 Fax: 703-962-8600 Arizona 602-279-8030 | Arkansas 501-244-0200 | California - North 415-255-7431 | California - South 213-908-0190 | Colorado 303-296-1708 | Georgia 404-541-9595 | Iowa 515-282-5307 | Minnesota 612-374-0156 | Missouri 314-961-2008 | Nevada 702-664-1040 | New Hampshire 603-782-4640 | New Jersey 609-695-0600 | New York 212-213-3717 | South Carolina 803-667-3112 |

New comment by thepoorpeoples

2008-02-20T01:18:39Z

HELP OUR KIDS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ALL OVER WE NEED FOSTER CARE REFORM TO STOP THESE KIDS FROM BEING RAPED AND BEING USED AS SEX TOYS IN 2008! THE POOR PROPLE'S CAMPAIGN INC MR JERRY ROBINSON TIME TO STAND UP IN 2008 !!

New comment by thepoorpeoples

2008-02-20T01:19:33Z

HELP OUR KIDS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ALL OVER WE NEED FOSTER CARE REFORM TO STOP THESE KIDS FROM BEING RAPED AND BEING USED AS SEX TOYS IN 2008! THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN INC MR JERRY ROBINSON TIME TO STAND UP IN 2008 !!

New comment by thepoorpeoplescampaign

2008-02-20T12:23:03Z

New comment by jgallop

2008-03-06T14:09:50Z

What happens when the jobs are gone people are lined up for miles at soup kitchens , bread is rationed because of high wheat prices? Sounds like a depression to me..

New comment by Anonymous

2008-03-16T14:29:58Z

Mr. Durbin: I suggest you read your oath of office again. The oath you took you sure haven't taken it to heart very much. It says you are supposed to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies,foreign and domestic. So why in hell have we still got open borders and ports after all these years after 9/11. The American people should be your top and utmost priority not the illegal aliens. Everytime you side with the illegal aliens you're slapping the American people in the face. Mad as hell in Illinois

New comment by Anonymous

2008-03-19T10:13:39Z

help the homeless get food and cute abercrombie clothes to wear on the streets of Illinois. seriously ive never even heard of you which means you're not doing anything. Sincerly, Pissed off.

New comment by Anonymous

2008-03-19T10:18:30Z

Mr. Durbin, Thou shalt help the individuals in Iraq. They are suffering and if each state gives the help we need, we can all bond together and succeed. I hope you are realizing this current issue is a voluptious matter that needs to be recognized. Thank you for your time, much apprecciated. I would really enjoy having coffee with you sometime to discuss this matter. Sincerely, ...me.