We’ve only just begun to change our country
"Letter to Editor"06/28/2007
Dear Friend,
Two years ago, when I started my first run for Congress, no one paid attention. Our hard work and persistence paid off and we beat a 12-year incumbent who NOBODY thought could lose. Our victory, and the other strong Democratic finishes, returned the Speaker's gavel to Democrats for the first time since 1994 and put the Democratic freshmen members of Congress on the map as "Majority Makers."
Now, a full eighteen months before the next election, in a blatant effort to turn back the clock and return our country to the failed policies of the George W. Bush Administration, the National Republican Party has launched misleading radio ads against me and the other Majority Makers – they're robo-calling voters in my district, distorting my positions, and unfairly attacking my record.
They're desperate to win next fall and they've targeted this seat as one of their top prospects.
With your help today, we can show them misleading radio ads won't cut it!
Given all we've already accomplished, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised. In the few short months we've been in office, we've increased the minimum wage, we've enacted the kind of real ethics reform that rebuilds trust with the American people, we've moved to cut interest rates on student loans, and we've passed legislation that would expand potentially life-saving stem cell research.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
For the first time in years, the Congress of the United States is finally exercising its constitutional oversight duties by holding hearings, issuing subpoenas for witnesses from the Bush White House, and asking the tough questions of an administration that has gone unchecked for far too long.
And the House and the Senate, under the leadership of a Democratic majority, are finally standing up to President Bush on the Iraq War.
This Congress has already forced the President to accept the Iraq Study Group Report and acknowledge the need for benchmarks of success. His own top advisors admit that Iraq is mired in a religious civil war that cannot be solved militarily. I have been a leader on this issue from the day I came to Congress, refusing to play the President’s political games with the soldiers on the ground. I will continue to fight the Administration's flawed Iraq policy as this Congress debates the war in upcoming legislation.
But we're not just fighting to get our troops out of Iraq; we're working to ensure that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve when they return home.
Just last month, Congress passed and funded an initiative I offered to establish five research centers for traumatic brain injury, the devastating and all-too-common injury our troops sustain in Iraq and Afghanistan. And I stood with Democrats in Congress to successfully demand that George W. Bush give our men and women in uniform the pay increase they deserve.
We are bringing the change to Washington that you demanded—just $25, $50 or $100 today will ensure that more change is coming!
As a member of Congress, I will continue to stand against George W. Bush's reckless and misguided Iraq policy and I will offer meaningful support to our troops.
With your help, we will show the Republican leadership that the United States of America stands behind the message they sent in November: it was time for a change and we're not going back.
We need your help and your support to fight back against the attacks.
Your contribution of $50, $100 or $250, or any other amount, will show the national Republican Party that you stand behind my record, you stand behind your vote last fall, and we won’t rest until the change we demanded last November becomes a reality.
Serving Minnesota in the United States Congress is an honor and a privilege. I wake up every morning eager to fight for you and every American.
I appreciate your support and know that together we can make America better.
Sincerely,
Congressman Tim Walz
P.S. June 30 is our next fundraising deadline. Contribute $150, $100 or any other amount today.
Visit our website at http://www.timwalz.org where you can contribute online! A contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated. My four opponents are raising money each and every day while I am working hard in Congress—I need your help today!