Open Congress : Comments on Ted Kennedy

New comment by Anonymous

2008-05-16T20:31:08Z

I have taken the time to read all the above comments which seems to be centered around desparate people who need assistance to survive. This is not a reality tv show!! America is in despriate need of government representatives who are willing to for-go the money they receive from big companies to fundle money into their re-election funds!! These companies own Washington now!! I once spoke to a first time representative during his first campaign and ask him to "keep it honest." I now believe he has sold me out!!! I do not think I will ever vote for him again. NOW...let's look at the picture with one of our upcoming Dem. political candidates....Mr. Obama and his Senate Bill 2433. This is another tax to be placed on middle working class taxpayers. He is willing to sponsor a bill that would take .7% of this nations GNP and give it to the UN. We all know how the UN squanders money and gives it to unknown individuals in some unforgotten place! This is going to be in the tune of a a world tax for us to pay. This bill has already passed the House and is now in the Senate. Let's see if Kennedy can stand up to Obama on this bill, especially, since he has endorsed him for President. I don't think so!! We (anyone with a lick-of-sense) all know that the next President will have to raise taxes to pay for Bush's War which is costing middle class taxpayers several billion dollars each month. You do not hear anything about the Chinese buying up the Treasury Notes from the Fed. Reserve to finance Bush's War. The Chinese are building the world's largest/best submarine force from all the money that is being made from sale of products in this country. Thus, we are financing their military and the sale of our own country to the Chinese!! Mr. Kennedy when are you going to step up to the plate and stop the deportation of American jobs so that these people will not need unemplovment benefits...however, since America is in the current situation something must be done...therefore, support the bill these individuals are requesting you to do......also, you must be expecting something in return for your endorsement of another political candidate...WHAT IS IT!!! One might get the idea that I am against some individuals who are running for President of this great nation...however, I am for a person who will uphold the Constitution of the United States....I haven't seen that done in several years....too much graft in the political officals today. Its time for those in offices in Washington under the pretense of representing the American to face up to the problems facing the taxpayers: 1. The economy....companies moving out of our borders to avoid unions, benefits for workers, and Social Security payments, etc. 2. Immigration....this is part of the problem with the economy....there is no such thing as "UNEMPLOYMENT". Just lots of work that some American's will not do. Send some of the Mexicans back and tell Americans jobs are now availible. If you are going to represent America have the balls to step up to the plate and do so! NOT FOREIGNERS who have no rights under our Constitution except to be treated as humans and sent back to their country via their country's expense! 3. Bush's War....have the balls to stop the funding of a war that he started....and I am not talking about the one in Afganistan! Cutting funds is not ending your support for the troups..which everyone hollows when this issue comes up...it is going to get them out of harms way...tell Bush you are not going to support this any more that it is over...don't let him carry his war over into the next adm. for someone else to deal with and to have to swollow the blame. AN IF YOU CAN NOT DO THESE THINGS YOU NEED TO HAVE BRASS ENOUGH ON YOUR FACE AND STEP ASIDE AND LET SOME ONE WHO WILL. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW...I AM 66 YEARS OLD...IF THAT MEANS ANYTHING...I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH YOU IN OFFICE FROM DAY ONE AND SOME OF IT HAS NOT BEEN NICE...SO && OR GET OFF THE POT!!!!

New comment by Anonymous

2008-10-18T12:02:07Z

JUDICIAL INJUSTICES BEING INFLICTED ON POORER AMERICANS NEEDS....C*H*A*N*G*E..... SENATOR OBAMA, PLEASE LET THE AMERICAN VOTERS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY KNOW YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT A NEEDED FUTURE REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF A BROKEN US JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT CONTINUES TO ALLOW THE EXECUTION'S OF EVEN POSSIBLE INNOCENT AMERICAN’S LIKE TROY DAVIS OF GEORGIA ????? BEING THE WEALTHIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SENATOR OBAMA, DON'T WE NEED AS THE LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD TO BEGIN ONCE AGAIN TO RE-INVEST THE PROPER MONIE$ IN OUR OWN US JUDICIAL SYSTEM, ASSURING ALL OF OUR CITIZENS THEIR RIGHTS TO FAIR TRIALS WITH PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION ??? DOES GOD NEED TO LOBBY OUR US CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD ON BEHALF OF OUR poorer american’s SENATOR OBAMA,OR ARE YOU WATCHING OUT FOR THEM ?? ***OUR US CONGRESS CONTINUES TO DENY MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING POOR AMERICANS PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION EVEN THOUGH WRONGFUL EXECUTIONS & FALSE INCARCERATIONS CONTINUE ALL ACROSS AMERICA ??? *** 700 BILLION $$$ AVAILABLE FOR US BAILOUT, & NO $$$ FOR ALL POORER AMERICANS PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION ? SENATOR OBAMA, THIS JUDICIAL INJUSTICE HAS BECOME AN AMERICAN ART FORM, AND NO LONGER CAN BE KEPT HIDDEN OR SECRET FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EVEN IF CERTAIN (501c3) U$ RELIGIOU$ LEADER$ HAVE BEEN $ILENCED ?? LETS ALL HOPE OUR MEDIA FRIENDS CONTINUE TO SHOW AN INTEREST IN REPORTING ON THIS AMERICAN HORROR FACING THESE (TENS OF THOUSANDS) FORGOTTEN AND TRAPPED POORER AMERICANS, AND HOW THIS PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER HANDLES THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE FACING AMERICA’S LATINO AND BLACK AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ???? WITH 80% OF THE BLACK AMERICAN VOTERS SAYING THEY SUPPORT SENATOR OBAMA IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IT IS ONLY FAIR FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW PRIOR BEING ELECTED OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HOW THIS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TRULY FEELS ABOUT THIS AMERICAN JUDICIAL INJUSTICE CONTINUING TO INFLICT GRAVE HARM ON THE BLACK & LATINO AMERICAN FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE ?????? *** WHEN GOD’S FACE BECAME VERY RED *** THE US SUPREME COURT GAVE ENEMY COMBATANTS FEDERAL APPEAL HC RIGHTS LAWYERS AND PROPER ACCESS TO US FEDERAL COURTS,AND POORER AMERICANS (MANY EVEN ON DEATH ROW) ARE DENIED PROPER FEDERAL APPEAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO OUR US FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL, AND ROTTING IN AMERICAN PRISONS NATIONWIDE ????????? **** INNOCENT AMERICANS ARE DENIED REAL HC RIGHTS WITH THEIR FEDERAL APPEALS ! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE $LOWLY FINDING OUT HOW EA$Y IT I$ FOR MIDDLE CLA$$ AND WORKING POOR AMERICAN$ TO FALL VICTIM TO OUR U$ MONETARY JUDICIAL $Y$TEM. ****WHEN THE US INNOCENT WERE ABANDONED BY THE GUILTY **** The prison experts have reported that there are 100,000 innocent Americans currently being falsely imprisoned along with the 2,300,000 total US prison population nationwide. ***WHERE ARE AMERICA'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS ??????? Since our US Congress has never afforded poor prison inmates federal appeal legal counsel for their federal retrials,they have effectively closed the doors on these tens of thousands of innocent citizens ever being capable of possibly exonerating themselves to regain their freedom through being granted new retrials. This same exact unjust situation was happening in our Southern States when poor and mostly uneducated Black Americans were being falsely imprisoned for endless decades without the needed educational skills to properly submit their own written federal trial appeals. This devious and deceptive judicial process of making our poor and innocent prison inmates formulate and write their own federal appeal legal cases for possible retrials on their state criminal cases,is still in effect today even though everyone in our US judicial system knows that without proper legal representation, these tens of thousands of innocent prison inmates will be denied their rightful opportunities of ever being granted new trials from our federal appeal judges!! Sadly, the true US *legal* Federal Appeal situation that occurs when any of our uneducated American prison inmates are forced to attempt to submit their own written Federal Appeals (from our prisons nationwide) without the assistance of proper legal counsel, is that they all are in reality being denied their legitimate rights for Habeas Corpus with our US FEDERAL COURTS and will win any future Supreme Court Case concerning this injustice! For our judicial system and our US Congressional Leaders Of The Free World to continue to pretend that this is a real and fair opportunity for our American Middle Class and Working Poor Citizens, only delays the very needed future change of Federal Financing of all these Federal appeals becoming a normal formula of Our American judicial system. It was not so very long ago that Public Defenders became a Reality in this country.Prior that legal reality taking place, their were also some who thought giving anyone charged with a crime a free lawyer was a waste of taxpayers $$. This FACADE and HORROR of our Federal Appeal proce$$ is not worthy of the Greatest Country In The World! ***GREAT SOCIETIES THAT DO NOT PROTECT EVEN THEIR INNOCENT, BECOME THE GUILTY ! A MUST READ ABOUT AMERICAN INJUSTICE: 1) YAHOO 2) GOOGLE MANNY GONZALES THE KID THAT EVERYONE FORGOT IN THE CA PRISON SYSTEM. ** A JUDICIAL RIDE OF ONES LIFE ! ***Someone please tell our US Congress that the GED degree that Manny Gonzales acquired in prison is not a LAW DEGREE !!!!!! lawyersforpooramericans@yahoo.com (424-247-2013)

New comment by Anonymous

2008-04-29T10:55:56Z

my unemployment benefits end in 3 weeks i still cannot find a job please push for the extended benefits.

New comment by Anonymous

2008-03-11T08:12:59Z

please push for the emergency unemployment extension, our families are in turmoil.

New comment by Anonymous

2008-04-03T08:27:27Z

Recently unemployed worker in a depression ridden state says=====HELP?

New comment by thepoorpeoples

2008-02-19T20:20:44Z

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 Anonymous

2008-07-27T05:56:55Z

I think exceptionally high unemployment should be defined. How can a bill be passed with such vague terminology?

New comment by OliviasMom

2008-08-08T17:52:59Z

Dear Senator Kennedy, I am pleading with you to vote in favor of H.R. 4926, here is my personal reason why: My first awareness of Longated QT Syndrome (LQTS) or Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in young adults was April 12, 2004. On this day I went into my daughter's bedroom to wake her up for school and found her not breathing. My daughter was in the hospital for 10 days, on life support. The doctors were not sure why this seemingly healthy, 14 year old girl, would just stop breathing. After days of running test after test, a cardiologist was finally able to give us a diagnosis, Long QT syndrome. What, what is Long QT Syndrome? What were the warning signs my daughter would have had? Why didn't her pediatrician detect this problem at birth? Why, when I took her to the doctor for headaches, dizziness, feeling as though she were going to faint, why didn't they request an EKG, or why didn't I request it? Why, because I was unaware of this silent killer known as Long QT Syndrome. Olivia had always been an energetic, bright, beautiful child. She was so curious about everything, always wanting excitement and adventure in her life. Olivia was very active as a cheerleader and loved to play basketball. Olivia was very competitive, healthy as can be, so we thought. April 22, 2004, my 14 year old daughter, Olivia Corinne Hoff, passed away. As a mother, I am writing this to bring public awareness to our local community about LQTS and SCA and the importance of AED'in our local schools in. It was four years April 22, 2008 that my daughter passed away. Not a day goes by that I don't ask myself, Why didn't I know, why didn't I see the warning signs ? If I had, maybe Olivia would be alive today. Unfortunately, for me and my family, our life is forever changed. As a mom, I cannot express the depth of pain in losing a child. When my daughter died, a part of me died too. I understand that this bill would, among other things, establish a grant program for local education agencies to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and train school staff to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and correctly use AEDs. I ask that you please do your part to save lives by doing what you can to see that the Senate passes H.R. 4926, Josh Miller HEARTS Act. There are many parents grieving the loss of their children and feeling the same pain that I will, we will feel, for the rest of our lives. I am a Mom on a Mission to do whatever I can to save the lives or our children. I will not let Olivia's death be in vain. Olivia cannot speak out about LQTS. Olivia cannot ask the Senate to help pass H.R. 4926. I am Olivia's voice. As Olivia's mom, I will continue to do all that I can to honor my daughter's memory, as memories is all I have. Sincerely, Corinne Ruiz, Olivia's mom 604 Harvest Creek Rd Bakersfield, CA 93312-4005

New comment by lerichards

2008-03-07T04:46:59Z

Homeland Security Satellites dangerous to all U S Citizens. Fear has gripped the Government and many people of The United States, causing havoc among all citizens. Not in history of civilization has such atrocities been realized. Spying and torture has become a common practice to any individual not living the productive life, people who live peacefully, people who are satisfied with their lives. Once the Government considers a person or persons unproductive, they are considered alien and a danger to the society. The government fears these people for their disrupting the overall progress of the American Way. Growth and prosperity has become a major concern to those people dwelling in luxury and vanity, while individuals who are satisfied with the common way of living are scrutinized and condemned for being lazy and indifferent to any advancement. America is the product of devastation to the planet Earth, and to the realm of outer space. The government has sold-out to the destruction of the planet with endless violations, removing the material resources and destroying natural environment, ending nearly all ecosystems of other forms of life. The End

New comment by Anonymous

2008-01-27T15:33:04Z

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 donnyshaw

2008-03-06T15:23:01Z

If you click on the "See Full Voting History" button above, you will see that Kennedy voted "nay" on final passage of the FISA bill. There were also a dozen or so votes on amendments to the bill before it s final passage -- you can also see how he voted on each of those.

New comment by Wcote21

2008-03-06T07:37:23Z

What was Senator Kennedy vote for S.2248? The amendment on Fisa??

New comment by Anonymous

2008-03-19T13:07:17Z

New comment by Anonymous

2008-10-24T15:38:51Z

I called your office and talked to an aide who said Senator Kennedy was at home fighting brain cancer. I called back and suggested his wife call a press conference from their home. I said that now was the time for Senator Kennedy to fight for unemployed workers and reintroduce 2544! Today I read that Kennedy is fighting for the health care system from his home. The millions of unemployed also needed his help and advocacy!!!!!!!!!! Don't abandon us. Do NOT compromise. Finish what he started!!!!!!!!!!!!

New comment by Anonymous

2008-03-11T17:39:05Z

Why would the IRS spend MILLIONS to tell us a check is in the mail? PLEASE pass this unemployment extension bill BEFORE you all go on VACATION! American CITIZENS are LOSING their homes! Our government seems BROKEN when it cannot help American workers. We CANNOT wait!!! YOU are our GOVERNMENT NOW!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!

New comment by btoner

2008-03-15T10:02:50Z

Dear Senator Kennedy, Thank you for introducing Bill S 2544 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008. This aid is definitely needed in a time of ecomomic uncertainty and turmoil. I would like to know what I can do to further advance this bill. It seems like there is a strong undertow from the executive branch to put this bill into play. I was shocked when I heard President Bush publicy announce that this would not be part of the stimulus package. I will write my congressman and senators in New Jersey but if you can suggest any other type of action please let me know. Best Regards and Happy Saint Patrick's Day. Bill Toner

New comment by Anonymous

2008-03-15T10:25:49Z

dear; senator. Kennedy we the people are pleading to act on the bills like s2544 heading up a bill dose not mean squat!the numbers tell you and me that we need unemployment extension now you keep listening to bush it will be ok how has that been working for you.its not for me and hundred of thousand of unemployed will tell you the same we are losing our homes/ correct. i can not predict the future bush said he can (all knowing?)what i know that if we the people do not get help soon there will be no mid/class for you to tax!

New comment by Anonymous

2008-03-19T13:11:24Z

I TOO AM OUT OF WORK AND ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF UNEMPLOYMENT MONEY (FRIDAY!). I LEARNED AT MY NJ UNEMPLOYMENT COUNSELING SESSIONS THAT BEING OVER 40!!!! MAKES IT TOUGH TO GET A JOB. CHECK OUT THE WORKERS WHO DO HAVE JOBS, THEY MAY BE YOUNG BUT COMMITTED? EFFICIENT? EVEN NICE? WOW, SOME SOCIETY THAT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT EXPERIENCE COUNTS AS MUCH AS A MASTERS DEGREE. I HAVE AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE...IT MAY AS WELL BE A 3RD GRADE EDUCATION. 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE WILL GET YOU ABOUT 10 BUCKS AN HOUR. HELP!!!!!!

New comment by Anonymous

2008-04-07T22:04:52Z

God Bless you Ted Kennedy for sponsoring S2544. You're one of the few politicians that still watches out for the average Joe. I and my family would be very greatful for a few more weeks of unemployment compensation just to get us thru this rough patch until another job comes around. After having served honorably in Afghanistan and Iraq, I returned to a shaky US economy in July 2006 and was fortunately able to find a job relatively quickly. However, in late August 2007 I was laid-off and have been unable to find work since. I have been working since I was 16 years old (now 35) and have never seen such a depressed economy. It seems obvious to everyone but the greediest of politicians politicians (and particularly to Bush) that the economy is in a downward spiral. It seems that many politicians are too busy feeding at the trough at the public's expense, and are so disconnected to the reality of the economic crisis occurring in the country to even notice the disasterous state of the economy. Can any politician say, "HOME MORTGAGE CRISIS, HIGH FUEL PRICES, STAGFLATION, RAMPANT UNEMPLOYMENT, MEDICAL INSURANCE COSTS THAT HAVE TRIPLED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS?" Oh yea, I forgot, politicians get the best medical insurance plans for FREE. Well, you've got to look out for No. 1 of course. Bush and the spineless politicians that failed to vote for the unemployment extension think that the measly stimulus checks are going to get the economy back on track. HA! What a joke. Is this how politicians repay servicemen and women that risked their lives when called for duty? It's disgusting to see fat cat politicians living "high on the hog" while the rest of us are left scrambling for crumbs. These politicians that are dragging their feet on S2544 need to WAKE UP and get your headS out of their . . . the sand. We're in a RECESSION and the unemployed need relief RIGHT NOW, not tomorrow or the next day, RIGHT NOW! Let's move S. 2544 along. Your humble servant in arms.

New comment by GulfWarVet

2008-04-07T22:07:59Z