College Student

© Hector Lee, 2010

While this wasn’t how I had planned to celebrate my birthday, it was better than what I had in mind.

a note from Bernie Sanders

Dear Hector:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you very much for contacting my office regarding the recent tax deal struck between President Obama and the Republican leadership. Frankly, the response from Vermonters and Americans all across the country – like you – was far beyond anything we could have imagined. As of this writing, we received a total of more than 10,000 phone calls and 9,324 e-mails. More than 98 percent of the responses were in opposition.

In my view, this huge outpouring of concern was not just about this harmful bill. It went deeper than that. It was a cry from the middle class who are deeply worried about the future of our country and where this agreement, and similar type bills, will lead us in the years to come.

At a time when we have a $13.7 trillion national debt and the most unfair distribution of income in the industrialized world, why are we giving huge tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires? Is there no end to their greed? And does anyone really believe that this will only be a two-year agreement with no future extensions?

Why should we be significantly lowering rates on the estate tax when it applies only to the very, very richest people in this country, the top 0.3 percent? The richest 1 percent already owns more wealth than the bottom 90 percent. Isn't that enough?

With the American people deeply worried about the future of Social Security, why are we diverting $112 billion from the Social Security trust fund in order to provide a 'payroll tax holiday?' Why is a Democratic president adopting this position, which has long been held by Republicans who want to eventually destroy Social Security by choking off its funds? With the Republicans coming to power in the House in a few weeks, why should anyone not think that this 'one-year' diversion will be made long-term or permanent? According to one major senior citizen organization, this action could be the beginning of the end for Social Security – the most successful anti-poverty program in the history of the United States.

It goes without saying that we must extend unemployment benefits for the millions of working families who, in the midst of this terrible recession, are about to see them expire. But why is this considered a 'concession' when for the last four decades Democrats and Republicans have always worked together and agreed that benefits must be continued when the unemployment rate is higher than 7.2 percent. This is not a 'concession' on the part of the Republicans. This is a continuation of long-held, bipartisan policy.

In conclusion, I believe that we could have reached and should reach a better agreement that represents the interests of middle class and working families of our country.

Let's keep working together.

Sincerely,


BERNARD SANDERS
United States Senator

Go Bernie

I must say I have admiration for Vermont's Senator Bernie Sanders who is alone in standing up to extending the Bush-era tax cuts brokered by the GOP leadership and President Obama. Sometimes you have to stand up to the bully on the playground even if you get your but whipped. Because if you let him push you around, he will continue to do so.

La virgen de Tepeyác

As a personal promise every year I attend the mañanitas for la Virgen de Guadalupe. Nearly every Catholic Church with a sizeable Mexican population has them. When I was in New York, there was a tiny church on in lower Manhattan that was attended by Poblanos and on December 12^th, it was packed.

For the last couple years, I have been attending the mañanitas at the Basilica of Mission Dolores. The Mass is a 5:00 am and people are already gathered in front of the church at 4:30 am. The image of la Virgen processes in the church, which quickly fills until there is standing room only. Rousing mariachi music accompanies the liturgy and there are solos of “Ave Maria.” There is a symbolic reenactment of Juan Diego showing his miraculous tilma to the bishop and a rain of rose petals falls from the copula of the basilica. The faithful stretch out their hands to gather the petals. Someone shouts: “VIVA la Virgen de Guadalupe!” and the congregation responds “¡Qué Viva!” It is very moving. At the end of the Mass, the people come up the center aisle to have their images, candles and flowers blessed by the priest. Then the people follow out to the auditorium for tamales, pan dulce and chocolate caliente. Unlike the Day of the Dead celebration in San Francisco, it feels authentic, as it is mostly Mexicans who get up at this early hour to celebrate the feast day of la Virgen del Tepeyác.

Looking for values to stand for

Dear Mr. President:

I understand that in politics compromise is necessary. But how have the Republicans compromised? They stuck to their guns saying there would be NO tax cut extension unless it included the wealthy. They got it. And they held extension of unemployment benefits hostage if they didn’t get it. Additionally, the proposed legislation reinstates the estate tax at 35% instead of 45% for estates starting at 3.5 million. How is that economically sound for the poor and middle class? It may be a compromise, it feels like a cave in.

The Republicans have made it clear they stand for something (no taxes, reduce deficit, the wealthy). What do Democrats stand for? What values will we fight for? In life, there will be fights we will win and fights we will lose. I believe sometimes we must fight even if we lose because the alternative would be not to lose our integrity and stand up for what we believe. If this is not the issue, what is?

Hector

el apache

Happy bday Alonso! ¡Te quiero!