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READ BUDGET THREATENS FREE BOOK PROGRAM
WRITE YOUR SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVE, at RIF.ORG
TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO SUPPORT READING IS FUNDAMENTAL
WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE COPY OF YOUR E-MAIL, CC: THE MEDIA
SAMPLE LETTER FROM JOSEPH S.
Dear Congressman Barrett, and Senators Kohl and Feingold,
In the months since the November 2000 election I have e-mailed you numerous correspondences. Some were letters addressed to you; some were copies of pertinent letters addressed to others; some were e-mails of articles that I thought you or your staff should be aware of. Only one time have I received a written response, and that was from Congressman Barrett.
I understand that you may be swamped with e-mail, and while I certainly don't expect a response for "FYI" articles I send - I would certainly expect a response from each of you regarding this letter.
On April 24, 2001 I read an AP article that outlined the Bush administration's intention to entirely cut federal funding for the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program for FY 2002. This funding cut of $23 million amounts to 70% of the RIF budget. This action, to me, is one of many last straws from this illegitimate "place keeper" (he's not a real President) of the highest office in this land. And I'll tell you why the Resident's cut of RIF is so deplorable.
About two weeks prior to reading of Bush's plan, my 6-year daughter Eileen, brought this year's RIF book home from school. Eileen was very happy and proud to have her new book. Eileen attends MacDowell Montessori School on 17th and Highland Avenue in Milwaukee. Thanks to the school's staff and the commitment of parents, MacDowell is considered by Milwaukee Magazine as one of the top 7 schools in the entire metropolitan area. We are very grateful to have the chance to send Eileen to such a great school in the Milwaukee Public School system, and we truly appreciate the efforts of all of Eileen's teachers and MacDowell's staff.
My wife Mary, is the school's PTA treasurer, and she told me that the PTA spends about $2,000 per year on RIF books for approximately 600 children, so it may be that our school does not use any of the federal funds that Bush is cutting. But the point is - MacDowell students do receive RIF books. And guess what? They are important, and here is why.
A couple nights ago I asked my daughter, "Eileen, what is your favorite kind of book: a library book, a RIF book, or a book you get as a gift?" Eileen though for a couple moments and said, "a RIF book." I then asked her why. She said, "a RIF book is new, it has my name in it (via a printed label with classroom number), and I get to pick it out."
Eileen goes to the main public library twice a month, and receives plenty of books as gifts, but even for a child who has access to so many books, a RIF book is still very important. And even if Bush's funding cut would not affect our school's RIF program because of an able and active PTA, I can easily look beyond our good fortune and see where others might need federal assistance to make this program work for them.
Apparently Resident Bush is completely incapable of looking beyond his own good fortune because on many issues seems determined to make the less fortunate pay for his extravagant and warped views on tax cutting and weapons systems. I am thoroughly disgusted with this administration's policies regarding worker's rights, health protection, education, defense, energy and the environment.
I look forward to my representatives vigorously fighting against the Resident's appalling corporate takeover of America, and the abandonment of the policies and programs (eg., RIF) that have served this country so well over the past many years.
I look forward to your response on this important matter.
Thank You,
Joseph S.
TODAY'S ACTION ALERTS:
Call Sen. Toricelli's office today through Wednesday at 1-800-998-0180, and ask him to OPPOSE Bush's Tax Cut and Judicial Nominees.
Read Howard Kurtz' Column; e-mail him at kurtzh@washpost.com with your opinion of Bush (include your name and city).
ARE YOU READY FOR VOTERMARCH, MAY 19?
VOTERMARCH EAST - Washington, DC
VOTERMARCH WEST San Francisco, CA
BUGLIOSI BOOK OFFER - Autographed!
BBBR/COUP2K SHIRTS - Seven New Designs!
FRINGEFOLK IN DC - Meet Up With Fringefolk
SAN FRANCISCO RSVP - Meet The Diva, BBBR'ers
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