Joe Scarborough
A letter-writing campaign can work wonders
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | When I was in Congress, I received thousands of letters, emails and phone calls from Americans asking what they could do to make a difference. I'm getting those same emails and phone calls at MSNBC, and if you want to know how you can make a difference, here's the Real Deal.
LET'S BE BLUNT: Our leaders in Washington don't always look out for your best interest, or the best interest of America. That's why I use this program to shine light on some of Capitol Hill's biggest blunders. Tonight's program is no exception.
Last Friday, I interviewed a journalist who is going to blow the lid off a homeland security scandal that is unforgivable in a land still living in the shadows of 9/11. Can you believe that illegal immigrants from the Middle East are flooding over the Mexican border, and our homeland security squad is doing little to stop it? If that ticks you off, write Tom Ridge. Let him know that you expect our federal government to do a better job on border control.
The Mexican Embassy is actually giving illegal immigrants cards that make it easier to break America's immigration laws, and tell you how American banks and businesses are aiding and abetting their criminal activity. Write them too, and give them a piece of your mind.
As I found out in Congress, an impassioned letter-writing campaign does make a difference. In less than two months, you have already been heard on Capitol Hill and in corporate America. As William Safire noted yesterday in the New York Times, we were the first news show to speak out against media conglomerates and the FCC. Now the Senate is moving to act.
Scarborough Country was also the first news program to blast the Feds for giving WorldCom their $45 million contract in Iraq. After we spoke out against the shady deal, senators launched an investigation.
Your phone calls and letters also made Danny Glover face the consequences of his red-hot rhetoric, calling the president a racist and comparing our troops to terrorists. Because of you, Mr. Glover lost his job as MCI pitchman.
Call me crazy, but I still believe that regular Americans like you and me can make a difference if we have the guts to take on the elites in Washington, Hollywood and on Wall Street.
And all it requires of you is to write a letter, buy a stamp, and let your elected leaders know that you demand to be heard.
They'll listen: And I know, because I've seen it up close and personal. It's time to turn up the heat.
SOME ADDRESSES YOU JUST MIGHT WANT
- Secretary Tom Ridge at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington D.C., 20528.
- The Mexican Embassy: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington D.C., 20006.
- If you want to do something to stop MCI/WorldCom from getting contracts, contact the Office of the Administrator. The address is: 18th and F streets northwest, Washington, D.C., 20405.
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Former Congressman Joe Scarborough (R-Fla.) hosts “Scarborough Country,” 10 p.m. ET, weeknights on MSNBC. Comment by clicking here.
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