A Few Words From Senator Barbara Mikulski & Why I Love This Woman

I've always seen the United States' most senior female Senator and Maryland's first and longest serving female Senator, Barbara Mikulski, as the woman guarding the rights of, and advocating for, the average man. Not only in Maryland, but everywhere.

I've always seen our Senator as a powerful bull dog with strong points to make. (And, a bull dog who has a bite that is stronger than her bark.) Now, I'm seeing her as more of the LIONESS of American politics and she's roaring loud for all to hear.

A couple of days ago I emailed our Senator (and many other elected officials) with my position on sending a blank check to the Bush administration for the proposed Bail Out of the very companies that caused this mess in the first place. Senator Mikulski's response was the only literate and to-the-point response that I received. And, while pre-written, it's perfect. Read along, aloud if you like:

Dear Mr. Brockelman:

Thank you for writing to me about the Bush Administration's proposal to bail out the financial industry. It's good to hear from you.

There's no question that we are in a credit crisis. People who have saved for their retirement, been faithful in paying their mortgage, and worked hard to pay for college are wondering, 'What is going on?'

They've watched Wall Street executives pay themselves lavish salaries. They've watched irresponsible lending practices. They've watched casino economics, gambling on risky investment mechanisms. Now those very same Americans who've worked hard and played by the rules are being asked to pay the bill for those who didn't.

Congress must act promptly to restore confidence and stability in the economy. But I will not be stampeded into voting for the Bush Administration bill. During the last seven years, every time there's a crisis, they generate fear and they generate bad ideas. This three-page bill gives the Secretary of the Treasury unlimited power to intervene in our financial markets without any review by Congress, agencies, or courts. It cannot be rubber stamped by the Congress.

At the minimum, the plan must be limited and temporary - not open-ended. There can't be any golden parachutes that reward executives for their excesses and their recklessness. No blank checks. There also must be a plan for those who have been hit hardest by the mortgage crisis.

Knowing of your views is very helpful to me. I will keep them in mind as the Senate continues to debate the President's economic plan.

Thanks again for getting in touch. Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

P.S. If I can be of further assistance in the future,
please visit my website at http://mikulski.senate.gov
or call my Washington D.C. office at 202-224-4654

 

So folks, regardless or your take on party lines, we need to adore and thank this Maryland Treasure for not dancing around her position. She never has; she never will.

Comments

[Claude]

If you were listening to any of the local news or talk stations yesterday, you got to hear plenty of clips of Senator Mikulski (among others) railing against the bailout. Hers was among the more vehement voices we got to hear and, in my opinion, one of the few who really got to the heart of the impact that this could have on the psyche of the individual voters.

I've always admired her willingness to take that sort of stand.

[Stephen B.]

Hey Claude,

Just hearing the Senator's voice and accent makes me smile from ear-to-ear. When she is making a strong and technical point, my ears move toward her voice like a cat.

She is truly one of our treasures. I've never met her; I hope to.

[Rita H]

I agree she is a treasure. My personal favorite is her willingness to co-sponsor the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act, which would prevent the military from using cluster bombs in civilian areas.
Go Barbara!

[Stephen B.]

Thanks so much for commenting, Rita. Here are a couple of her quotes that I love so very much:

"When one gets old and they are sick, there are not many things they can count on but they should be able to count on Social Security. Our seniors' retirement should never rely on the bull of political promises or the bear of the market" and...

"I thought in this country, the best social program was a job. Yet minimum wage jobs aren't paying enough to keep families out of poverty" and...

"College is part of the American dream. It shouldn't be part of a financial nightmare for families" and...

I just want to hug our Senator. She makes me so proud.