I’m dying.
I have diabetes and my body has been slowly shutting down for several years now. It started decades ago when I could no longer feel me toes: a very weird feeling. Now, I have no feeling at all in my toes, my feet or my legs other than pain.
I take lots of medicine. LOTS OF MEDICINE. Now, I can no longer walk and have a wheelchair that has a motor. Fortunately, for me, my wife still goes to work every single day as a teacher. We have excellent health insurance through the Fairfax Independent School District in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb of Washington D.C.
But she worries every day about what is going to happen to me when she leaves her job as a teacher. She has taught for over 40 years. It is time for a rest for her. But with the new administration in Washington and the cavalier manner that Republicans have about slashing health care, medicare, social security and what THEY call entitlements, (entitlements that we both paid into for over 40 years) we are both frightened for her to quite. To put it frankly, the future is not as crystal clear as it once was. And what we had PLANNED for years, could easily be taken away by a bunch of Republicans who only care about being reelected rather than care about the welfare of the people who allowed them their precious seat in congress or the senate.
- Legislatures make from $174,000 to $223,500 plus free health care, free postage, free foreign travel on military aircraft and $75,000 for expenses around the office.
- Out of the 365 days of the year, they work around 135-150. So, about three days a week.
- However, after serving their district, they do receive a “retirement” on average of about $65,000 per year. It is figured on 80% of their last salary.
One way to understand any problem or story is to use one example to understand the whole. Writers have done this for millennia. That is why you get interested in the main character and want to follow them through to the end.
So, let’s take one typical character and follow him from his “country first” stance and wanting to work “for you” his constituents. Let’s pick one of my favorite states, Colorado. Gosh, I love Colorado. The mountain air and the beauty and now the pot! What a place.
Well, a former Marine, Michael “Mike” Coffman (born March 19, 1955) is the U.S. Representative for Colorado’s 6th congressional district he has been serving his constituents since 2009. He is member of the Republican Party.
Let’s get to know him a little better. Here is one of his own ads for election:
“Country Comes First”
“My duty is ALWAYS TO YOU.”
“Work hard and serve YOU.”
Gosh, what a guy. So, this is what happened today:
“What do I do? What am I supposed to do?”
- VOTE HIM OUT
- And that is my View From The Hill
View From The Hill 