Coleen Rowley: We can Make the Possible a Reality

[goodhue]

---------------------------- Original Message ------------------------
Subject: We can Make the Possible a Reality
From: "Coleen Rowley" <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, December 2, 2005 11:51 am
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Coleen Rowley for U.S. Congress
https://www.coleenrowley.com/


Dear Friend:


"To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish."


Ethical decision-making curriculum was a part of my days as a legal and ethics instructor for the FBI. But it was only after years of teaching law enforcement ethics, that I found myself being put to the real test. Walking the walk and actually doing the right thing- not necessarily the easy thing- is a lot harder than just talking the talk. That practical learning experience is, however, what is needed now in Congress as it has become increasingly clear that our government desperately needs a return to ethics and honesty.

Our present challenges- the Iraq war, energy dependence, health care, environmental calamities, education- offer no easy solutions. But there are solutions. We can stabilize Iraq and bring our troops home, we can develop a 21st century energy strategy that encourages innovation and invention while meeting tomorrow's needs, we can simplify health care and bring security to the 45 million uninsured Americans, we can rebuild the Gulf Coast and enact environmental measures to protect against future storms of equal intensity, and we can rework No Child Left Behind so that our children are not actually being left behind. We have the capacity to do this; the question is: do we have the will?

The Republican power structure has demonstrated no such will to confront today's challenges. When we needed a swift, comprehensive response to Katrina, the government dragged its feet. As we face immense costs to fund the Iraqi war and national reconstruction, the government passed unprecedented tax cuts, driving us deeper and deeper into debt. And my opponent, John Kline, has voted in almost total lockstep with the policies forwarded by this Republican body. We deserve better.

https://www.coleenrowley.com/contribute.php


True solutions require an honest discussion about where we are, how we got here, and what is the best way to move forward. In his recent speech dubiously labeled "Plan for Victory," President Bush once again failed to come clean with the American people, recycling tired rhetoric that supports the "stay the course" status quo. John Kline and the Republican establishment simply shows no signs of leading this discussion.

Democrats, therefore, must take the lead to initiate this discussion, and Rep. John Murtha's (D-PA) courageous remarks calling for an Iraqi withdrawal are instrumental towards that end. A decorated Vietnam veteran and a fierce hawk, Rep. Murtha's credentials as a military authority cannot be questioned. He is a true patriot admired on both sides of the aisle, though some junior Republicans had the audacity to paint him as a "coward." Following the courage of his convictions, Rep. Murtha walks the walk, acting boldly to change the tone and character of the war debate.

Furthermore, Democrats recently won concessions in a closed-door Senate session to investigate the truth into the Bush administration's handling of pre-war Iraqi intelligence. They also successfully blocked senseless Arctic and offshore oil drilling and illogical tax cuts primarily benefiting the rich while Congress was trying to gut programs for the poor. Such a bold rejection of the Bush agenda is something we have not seen in the last 5 years. But much more is needed. That means we, the people, must come together if we are serious about setting a new course.

https://www.coleenrowley.com/contribute.php


In short, next year's election will be about what kind of leadership we want in government. We have witnessed the deceit, corruption, and incompetence that have defined Republican leadership, and I write to you now to say that we must change that status quo. I will not compromise my ideals for cheap political gains, and my values are not for sale to special interests. My proven track record for truth-telling and ethics is a living pledge that I will continue to think critically and act independently in the best interest of Minnesotans and the United States.

Benjamin Franklin was right when he wrote, "To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish." Errors have indeed been made, and it is our responsibility to learn from our mistakes and change this disastrous course. Please join me in challenging the status quo by making a donation to my campaign today.

Your support is truly appreciated,

Coleen Rowley

https://www.coleenrowley.com/contribute.php


P.S. Senator Feingold's leadership PAC, the Progressive Patriots Fund, will be conducting an online voting event starting Monday, December 5th through Wednesday, December 14th, and the candidate receiving the most votes wins a $5,000 contribution. I am one of 11 candidates identified by this group, so help me win by casting a vote at http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com


If you prefer not to contribute online, you may also contribute by sending a check to:

Coleen Rowley for Congress
P.O. Box 241598
Apple Valley, MN 55124.

Contributions to Coleen Rowley for Congress are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Federal law prohibits contributions to the campaign from corporations, labor organizations and national banks, from any person contributing another person funds, from foreign nationals who lack resident status and from government contractors.

Paid for by Coleen Rowley for Congress
Coleen Rowley for Congress P.O. Box 241598 Apple Valley, MN 55124
https://www.coleenrowley.com/

[blm]

1. I love Rowley. It's not easy to stand up to corruption.

We need all the lawmakers we can get who will, and we need to support them.

[Al-CIAda]

2. I fully endorse her and will contribute.

She knows the truth about 9/11.