When people find out that I’m an activist and write Congress constantly to share my viewpoints, I am often asked, “What do you write them about?” The answer depends on what I either support or oppose - but usually it’s a combination of facts that I know and an expression of my desires.

A lot of people don’t really know how to write congress or what to say when they’re doing so. You can get contact information for Congress quite easily online - and as far as what to say - whatever’s on your mind and is important to you. You don’t really have to be super eloquent, nor lengthy and you can go through the process of writing “old fashioned” letters, or of course, email, if that’s what you prefer. I choose letters because I like to get paper letters in return…for evidence.

You might be saying to yourself, “I don’t have time to write Congress letters…but I still want to be heard. What can I do?” Well, you can still make a difference. There are many websites promoting online petitions where all you have to do is find what you’re interested in and type your name. These websites have revolutionized the way people communicate with their representatives - it allows a large number of people to get behind a single issue; carrying with it the weight of all the signatory parties.

Since I would like to see more people get active and discover their own voice, I thought it might be helpful to share a number of my favorite letters that I have written. I hope this might inspire others to write their Congress in an effort to share their opinion and perhaps affect change. Just as jury duty is a civic duty and responsibility, so is participating in government and exercising your freedom to voice concerns to that government. This is especially true now that more and more critical legislation is handled by the legislators and never sees the light of a ballot.

For those inspired or interested in the good old fashioned letter writing, this will be a four part series: The first will deal with the potential war on Iran. The second has to do with the Federal Reserve and their decision to stop publishing the M3 data, essentially disguising a large portion of our economy. The third addresses my feeling on Real ID, the new national ID card that will be forced down our throats in 2009. The fourth, and final, covers what I do when I feel like I’m paying too much at the gas pump.

I hope they will both serve to educate and inspire! Happy reading!

April 28th, 2006

The Honorable Cathy McMorris
United States House of Representatives
1708 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4705
(202) 225-2006

Jeff Whiteside
[Contact Informaton Redacted]

Dear Honorable Cathy McMorris,

I would like to express grave concern over the recent stance that our country is taking with the country of Iran. President Bush, Congress and the Department of Defense seem intent on starting World War III. It is quite clear that any action against Iran could bring about great conflict with the countries of Russia and China.

A UN report on November 15th, 2004 stated that all Iranian nuclear materials have been accounted for and there was no evidence of any nuclear weapons program. Reports also say that Iran is “years away from producing nuclear weapons,” yet makes no effort to show they have even begun a nuclear weapons program. Before we go to war with another country, can the American people please have some irrefutable proof that Iran is actually a threat?

Perhaps our government feels that we are ignorant on the subject, but Iran did sign the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty over thirty years ago which provided Iran the right to engage in a nuclear program. The United States also assisted Iran with the necessary education to begin their nuclear program.

The Bush administration has a track record of deceiving the American people about weapons of mass destruction, and it would appear that this latest conflict is no different. Rallying for support of the American people via unjustifiable scare tactics is morally, constitutionally, and fundamentally wrong. I have deep concern over the American policy of going to war based on faulty intelligence, which is effectively creating instability and further exposing America to the risk of terrorist attack.

The populations of Iran, Russia and China outnumber America five to one and starting a conflict with such odds should be a decidedly bad idea. While I do have concern for national security, a war with Iran could severely impact both the security of our nation and the world. I urge you to please help President Bush and Congress to keep a cool head and avoid a war with Iran at all costs.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any correspondence.

Sincerely,

Jeff Whiteside

April 21st, 2006

The Honorable Cathy McMorris
United States House of Representatives
1708 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4705
(202) 225-2006

Jeff Whiteside
[Contact Information Redacted]

Dear Honorable Cathy McMorris,

I would like to express concern over the Federal Reserve’s recent decision, on March 23rd, to cease publication of their M3 monetary aggregate report. Though this reporting change has been touted as a “minor policy change,” there is growing concern that this bold move may have been done to cover up explosive monetary expansion. As the Federal Reserve is not run by elected officials, I feel it is critical to have a full release of all monetary details to allow oversight groups and individuals the ability to review all available data relating to our currency system.

The M3 monetary aggregate represents nearly three and a half trillion dollars of our total economy and is the only report that gives the “bird’s eye view” of our country’s economic health. Though many in these circles may consider three and a half trillion dollars as inconsequential and “not worth the effort” to track, I must disagree as it represents nearly one third of our total economic system.

As you are probably aware, we have seen a marked increase of silver and gold prices, energy prices, as well as continually rising interest rates. All of these items are indicating runaway inflation and a rapid devaluation of the American dollar. This should be a source of concern considering our monetary system’s declining value in comparison to currencies such as the Euro. In times such as these, the M3 data is critical to insure that the Federal Reserve is keeping our economy’s best interest in mind.

I would urge you to support the effort to force the Federal Reserve to continue publishing the M3 monetary aggregate report. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas has introduced H.R. 4892 in an effort to bring about this change, and I feel it is important enough to receive your attention and support.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any correspondence.

Sincerely,

Jeff Whiteside

February 9th, 2007

The Honorable Cathy McMorris Rodgers
United States House of Representatives
1708 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4705

Jeff Whiteside
[Contact Information Redacted]

Dear Honorable Cathy McMorris Rodgers,

I am writing in fervent opposition to the new national identification,Real ID, which is currently set to take effect in May of 2008. You must know the overwhelming majority of American’s absolutely oppose a national ID at a fundamental level. Though you may have taken some initiative to see that this privacy-invasive, unchecked and unbridled identification will be a difficult sell into reality, you are under obligation to protect our Constitution, honor the people’s will and oppose this in every way possible, and the fact is, you’re not doing enough.

I am rather alarmed at the number of Americans that I speak with about the “Real ID” that weren’t aware this was going to happen and are shocked (sometimes horrified) to learn of it. After all, nobody asked us, the people that allow you to be.

I’ve actually read that Homeland Security is considering putting RFID chips, fingerprint/retinal data, and other highly personal data on the ID. They’re looking at installing RFID readers in strategic places to track our movements. They’re moving to privatize it so there will be no oversight or federal management over what can and cannot be tracked via this new identification.

Have we all lined up as for an Orwellian prison to get our eyeballs scanned and activities scrutinized? Are we really prepared to create non-persons out of people that refuse to participate? Should we be broadcasting highly personal data, no matter how secure we’re told it is? Where is the evidential proof that this will actually “secure” our nation and isn’t just a nefarious plan for all Americans to give up all our personal privacy and centralize it? When did “we the people” become the “target” anyway?

I, for one, will not get on the fascist boat to micro-chipping the people and a forgone notion of personal privacy. I’m doing what I can to oppose the “Real ID” because I feel strongly it’s not in the best interest of the people. As a leader of our State, a representative of the people and a person with great influence, what are you doing about it?

So far, all we can manage to do is struggle with the best way to imprison ourselves rather than consider the more important concept, is this really what we want? How about we stop talking about how much it will cost and follow Maine’s lead to outright reject it? If they take away our funding, we, your people, will step it up and take care of Washington. We will do this because it’s what is right and because we don’t want our children living in a world where “Big Brother” knows all and our every move is tallied in some supercomputer.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any correspondence.

Sincerely,

Jeff Whiteside

April 10th, 2005

The Honorable Cathy McMorris
United States House of Representatives
1708 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4705
(202) 225-2006

Jeff Whiteside
[Contact Information Redacted]

Dear Honorable Cathy McMorris,

As a new resident of the State of Washington, I am writing to express deep concern over the rising cost of gasoline in our region. Based on consumer price indexing, standard inflationary rates generally increase prices about two percent per year. This sharp incline of petroleum prices have been rising at a rate exceeding over FIFTY PERCENT per annum. This price gouging is absolutely intolerable and needs to have something done about it immediately.

With the United States of America being a primary contributor and controlling faction of OPEC, I realize we have greater control over the price at the pump than is traditionally admitted. We are becoming less ignorant of what is really going on and more educated that a dollar at the pump means BILLIONS of dollars into the pockets of oil industry constituents. Supply and demand, in this case, does not follow traditional economic behaviors when the supply is heavily regulated to benefit those that control the supply.

If you are interested in what experts believe is happening with the world’s oil supply, I would highly recommend watching the well received documentary “End Of Suburbia: Oil Depletion And The Collapse Of The American Dream” for well-researched information regarding the “oil peak” that we will eventually face.

There are viable economic alternatives for fuel, such as Bio Diesel and hemp oil, which can be readily used in existing vehicles – costing a fraction of traditional petroleum. These technologies are available now, are both renewable and cleaner for our environment, are just as easy to distribute, and would highly benefit our local economies and farmers. Why, after over ten years of debate regarding alternative fuels, has nothing been done???

We are tired of all the lobbyists and big oil money influencing the decisions and opinions of our leaders and demand greater action! What is in their interest is NOT in our interest and we are waiting for someone to stand up and take action. As one of our great elected leaders, we hope that you will stand up for our interests and put a stop to the price gouging and immediately take action on alternative fuels.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any correspondence.

Sincerely,

Jeff Whiteside