What you want: "Give 'em hell, Jerry!"

“The saying, for those of us old enough to know it, was "Give'em Hell Harry". Now it is revised for this time and place: "Give'em Hell Jerry!!" Keep up the good work!” – Joe, a teacher who wishes to remain anonymous

On Monday, I asked “what do you want?” Nearly 48 hours later, your wonderful responses are still flowing into my email in-box (a few of them are included below).

Many of you shared your passionate thoughts about the war in Iraq while letting me know that you strongly support my “No” vote to deny President Bush a blank check to fund this endless conflict. You also wrote to me about the bill I recently authored to increase the development of geothermal energy -- an important initiative crucial to the movement to stop global warming and make America energy independent.

Stephanie, a software engineer, got right to the point: “Yes, end the war, save the planet. We need you in Congress!”

Whether it’s standing up to President Bush on Iraq or standing up to Big Oil on the climate crisis, I am honored to be your Congressman. Together, we are fighting to turn our country in a new direction and reverse the catastrophic blunders of the Bush administration. Without your support, this profound change would not be possible.

That’s why I need your help today to actualize this change before it’s too late. In whatever amount you can afford, can you stand up for our movement before this Saturday’s all-important Federal Election Commission deadline? 

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/StandUp

The war and global warming are not the only important issues on your mind.

A number of you also wrote to me about “earmark” reform, with one doctor asking that I “make it a top priority to make public all ‘earmarks’ written into bills.” As you may know, earmarks are individual project funding requests that Members of Congress make on behalf of their constituents to help fund projects like water treatment plants, roads, reading programs, or community health centers.

In the past, however, the earmark process has been shrouded in secrecy, allowing some lawmakers to slip in expensive projects that offered little public benefit. Fortunately, your focus on fundamental reform is helping us shed sunlight on the kind of “Bridge to Nowhere” boondoggles that have far too often bankrolled the special interests at the expense of the public interest.

You know that I did not run for Congress to be a typical politician. I ran for Congress to be a public servant committed to openness, transparency and accountability. That’s why, on Monday, I released all of my “earmark” requests to the public. And I’m strongly encouraging my fellow congressional members to do so as well.

If you want a public servant working for you every day to change the way Washington works, please stand up for me before Saturday’s FEC deadline and contribute. Whether it's $25, $50, $500, $1,000, or the $2,300 maximum, I need your individual support today to keep up our momentum.

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/StandUp

Changing the way Washington works is a long-term process. But it’s not going to happen if we don’t support the elected representatives committed to that change. That’s why my request to you is so urgently important. With Karl Rove targeting me as #3 on his campaign hit list, I need your help and I need it now.

Whether it’s your hard-earned dollars or your passionate feedback, please contribute as if your democracy depends on it. Because it does. From the war in Iraq to global warming and government reform, change starts with you. And it starts right now.

Thank you again for everything you are doing to build and sustain our movement.

P.S. Time is running out. We are asking our supporters to raise “$100K in 5 days” -- by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. – the end of the FEC’s campaign finance reporting period. The only way we will be able to make this critical goal is if you decide to stand up and contribute ASAP. You can also share your thoughts with me as well:

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/StandUp

To track our progress to Saturday's goal, just go to jerrymcnerney.org and refresh the front page to watch "The Bat" fill up minute-by-minute, contribution-by-contribution!

Comments

[Dave K]

Jerry,
I appreciate all you have done so far in congress. Though the Democratic leadership says impeachment is 'off the table'...
I cannot say how strongly I feel that it is the constitutional duty of congress to hold hearings on both Mr. Cheney and Bush to see if there is grounds for impeachment. The answer (yes) is obvious, even to the blind that they are both responsible for high crimes against our democracy. It is pitiful and shameful that impeachment is not considered viable (by Dem. leadership) because it is hard, time consuming or worse 'politically imprudent' ('safer' for Dems. to just let their clock run out). Not only does this administration get off scott free, but future abusers of power in the executive branch see this as a green light.

Pre WW II Germany was slowly lulled into complacency. America has one foot on that slippery slope.

I urge you to add your support to congressional action to initiate Impeachment against Cheney and Bush!

Add this to your good causes and keep up the good work.

Dave Kroske
Discovery Bay, CA