So I kind of felt like I wanted to share what I’ve written to my U.S. congressional representative, but I didn’t feel like my substack newsletter was the place to do it so I am going to throw it up here on my old blog for now. I might reorganize this site soon. If I ever get a response from said congressman, I’ll let you all know.

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Jan 21, 2025

Dear Representative Huizenga,

On President Trump’s first day in office he moved to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords. He also took actions to reverse policies of the previous administration on racial equity, gender discrimination, climate change, and ethics requirements, among others. One of his actions will raise prescription prices for seniors on medicare and medicaid, many of whom live on fixed incomes. He also moved to strip federal workers of employment protections and issued a directive to institutionalize spreading misinformation under the guise of protecting free speech. I have grave concerns over these actions.

Do you support President Trump’s actions?
What actions do you plan to take to fight racism?
How will you ensure that the rights of women and LGBTQ people are protected?
How will you act to make sure all Americans have access to affordable health care, including but not limited to reasonably priced prescription drugs and proper planning for future health care emergencies?
What is your plan to address the climate crisis and protect our natural environment?
How will you ensure our federal work force is not subject to the whims of politics? National stability is clearly better served by a stable work force loyal to the country and not one filled with sycophants loyal to a particular person.
What do you plan to do to ensure truth and transparency in government?

Also, Elon Musk’s role in the DOGE must be immediately terminated. His Nazi salutes on inauguration day along with his known history of supporting Neo-Nazis are reprehensible. He has no place in our government. Please speak out against this evil. His presence in the White House (unelected, I might add) is an embarrassment and danger to our nation.

President Trump’s pardon of the January 6 insurrectionists is also very disappointing. It’s certainly an insult to the police officers that were killed that day. Please speak out against this injustice.

Finally, I am disturbed by the President’s seeming obsession with taking revenge against his perceived enemies. While one might hope it is more bark than bite, I note that he took concrete actions of revenge on his first day by revoking the security clearances of former officials who disagreed with him in the past. Those are the actions of a fascist authoritarian government. We cannot let our nation go down that road. Congress is the body responsible for keeping that from happening. What is your plan?

Sincerely,
Ken Arthur