October 3, 2011

Dear friends,

I’ve watched with growing interest the “Occupy Wall Street” protest movement that is spreading to other cities, including Boston. I am impressed by the energy and spirit of the protestors.

I’ve been saying for a long time that the progressive community needs to stand up and speak out. We are fortunate to live in the land of opportunity, but for too many Americans, that opportunity is proving to be elusive. Too many people are struggling to find work, too many more are underemployed and having trouble supporting their families. The level of poverty in this country is too high and economic disparities continue to grow. Yet, all Congress seems to be interested in doing is cutting programs for the most vulnerable. Raising revenue by asking the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share doesn’t seem to be part of the equation, but cutting fuel assistance for needy families has become part of the solution. And the House is too busy cutting spending to focus on job creation. It’s shortsighted and wrong.

In fact, the House will be voting to cut programming tomorrow when we take up a continuing resolution to fund the government until November 18th. I won’t support the bill, but it will pass.

In every group, there are always a few who may step over the line and my message is not for them. My message is for the men and women who are standing up in New York and Boston and other cities and saying: enough is enough. Thanks for getting off the couch. Thanks for making a stand. Thanks for making your voices heard. I am listening — and will do all I can to encourage my colleagues in Congress to listen as well.