a heartfelt letter - TO THE PEOPLE OF IOWA

[kad7777]

The following is a letter I composed and sent to nine major papers in Iowa. Below my letter is a response from another supporter. I wanted to share it with all of you.


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To the people of Iowa,

I’m sitting in my small studio apartment in Manhattan. It’s 3:00 AM. Though quiet, I can hear the sounds of the city around me. I sit with my computer, continually visiting political websites. Trying to do as much as humanly possible to help my candidate. I don’t have much money, yet I’ve given his campaign as much as I could.

What else can I do?

I’ve made my own t-shirt to show support for him, and wear it as much as possible. I see people walking toward me on the streets of Manhattan, sometimes noticing my candidates name written across my chest. I peer through my sunglasses to see if they notice or not. Do they have a reaction? Do they smile or smirk? Do they know who he is? Sometimes people stop me and ask about him. Humbly, I answer as knowledgeably as I can.

What else can I do?

I’ve gathered friends and family email addresses, and email them with links to any important video taped speeches given by my candidate. I’ll email them with important “news story” links of his accomplishments.

What else can I do?

I’ve attended a couple of public speeches and talked with other supporters. What does that do? Not much really, but it’s nice to meet other people with a common bond. I’ve thought of going to Iowa to campaign on foot for him, but it’s just impossible to commit the time and money to do so.

What else can I do?

I’ve produced a short video to show support for my candidate. I think it helped some. If I have opened someone’s eyes regarding my candidate, if I have helped people look his way, I’ve helped, I guess.

What else can I do?

Well, as I looked at the polls today, and watched all the news channels with their coverage of the “money front runners”, I got up, turned off the TV and left my apartment. I walked to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. As I sat in this magnificent house of worship, I began to think of the state of the world. I’ve had these thoughts hundreds of times before, yet for some reason; I needed a little more solace. As I sat with my thoughts, I kept going over the Armageddon in the Middle East, the strife of the poor and the middle class in America, and people around the world, gas prices, our country’s security, health care, education, religion, human rights...it went on and on...until I started to weep...I haven’t wept for my country, for our people, since 9/11...then…I prayed.

After about an hour, it was time to go. Before I stood up, I asked my God to help Senator Biden. "Please...let the people of America see how much we need him...please God...open their eyes”, I said.

I’m almost 50 years of age, and I have never felt so strongly for a candidate in my lifetime. When I see all that is wrong with our country...with the world...it is so clear to me who should be leading the people of our nation. Senator Biden’s experience, knowledge and diplomacy stand head and shoulders above any candidate.

So, Mr. & Mrs. Iowa, I know you have the vision…the foresight…and the understanding of what’s at stake with your upcoming Presidential primary. Literally, the next President we elect will be because of who Iowans see as leader of the free world. Please make America proud.

Sincerely,
James DiSalvatore
NY, NY

If you haven’t seen the video I produced, go to the link below. If you support Senator Biden, please send the link below to family and friends, and ask them to do the same.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4





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James,

I too am from the Big Apple, Harlem to be precise. I have been a huge admirer of Senator Biden for years, and believe as all of the previous posters, that Joe Biden is without question the most qualified candidate in this race. To be quite honest it isn’t even close. I made the difficult decision in July to throw caution to the wind and come out to Iowa and volunteer for Senator Biden. Leaving my 2 almost 3 year-old son has been the hardest thing in the world, but I must say that, next to being a father, coming to Iowa and working for Joe Biden has been the most remarkable experience of my life. I was fortunate in that I was able to afford to come out here through the Caucus, whenever it may be. In the three months I have spent here my admiration for Senator Biden has grown by leaps and bounds (and it was pretty boundless to begin with). As good as he is on TV, and on the Senate floor, he is even better up close. I have never seen anyone turn voters the way that he does. It’s not just his knowledge, which in itself is dizzying, but it’s his passion. It seeps from him, and people see it. They feel it. I can’t tell you how many people have come to my events who have come in leaning Obama, Clinton, Edwards and Richardson and have come out as loyal Biden supporters. Yes, he IS that good. This past Thursday, we had an event in a town of no more than 200 people. More than 30 showed up on a dark and rainy night (this constitutes roughly 20 percent of those who caucused in that County in 2004), and of them at least 20 have already committed to caucus for JRB. “Let’s put wisdom back in the White House,” a youthful 77 year-old woman told me as she grabbed 2 yard signs. I asked her “Are you convinced yet?” “Oh yeah” was her response, “He’s my man!” Incidents like this are becoming more and more numerous. Yes, we are under funded and under-covered (and could always use more bodies on the ground), but there is a strong undercurrent of support here that the mainstream media doesn’t know about. So, for the time being, we’ll continue to operate under the radar. To all my fellow Biden-supporters who don’t have the opportunity to be on the ground here in Iowa, don’t lose faith. We are without question making moves, and folks are taking notice. I don’t have to tell you where this race was this time 4 years ago. As our momentum builds so does my confidence. Keep telling your family and friends, co-workers, classmates, and everybody else you can about Joe Biden. This country, this world deserves a great American president. We, in fact owe it to ourselves, but we’re going to have to work for it. We have about 11 weeks left before the caucus. Let’s do everything we can to make history.

-Jon

[Debi]

1. Hi kad! Welcome to the Iowa Forum

Your post is wonderful and heartfelt! :hug: Thanks.

[cyberswede]

2. Biden gave a good speech here last weekend

He's a good speaker - I liked his speech on values vs. policy (how we dems need to focus on the values).
He also gave a great summary of what he would have done on Sept. 15th 2001 to rally the support of the world, rather than squander it, like GWB.
Sadly, I'm not crazy about his vote on the banruptcy bill. :(

thx - lori

[walk softly]

3. I agree!

I'm sorry. I really like Joe Biden's msg on Iraq and I agree he is a foreign affairs guru, but I can't get past the 2005 bankruptcy bill and his sell out to credit card companies. Senator Biden sidestepped my question re this at an event earlier this year saying he would forward info which never came If you haven't noticed, the credit card users today are not out buying posh "toys". They include the elderly lady down on the corner using a credit card to pay for her heart medication, or the distraught young father not able to pay for antibiotics for a sick child; have you seen the number of folks charging groceries lately and how about your doctor who will gladly accept a credit card for payment on your delinquent bill. Did anyone read the Iowa stories re booster clubs endorsing credit cards for students - profits in the billions for the credit card companies, further debt for students already deep in debt for tuition.

Ask all candidates the tough questions - we only get this chance once.

[rurallib]

4. Thanks for getting that question in

I have seen Biden about 6 times and have had my hand up when appropriate, but have not been called on as yet to ask that very question.
Someone chastised me on GDP for bringing that up. They claimed that he voted for it to force absentee fathers to pay up back child support. I would like to think that problem could have been handled in another way. It always amazes me how pols can justify their votes. Ask Hillary about her recent Iran vote.
edit to add - Biden appears to be basically one issue. My limited knowledge of him tells me he may not be a friend of the middle class and consumers.
I believe I also remember Biden calling Gonzalez 'the real deal' before he voted for Abu for AG. Maybe I am not remembering that correctly, but that makes me question his judgment. It was not as if Gonzo was an unknown commodity.
Some say they would like to see Biden as SoS. As for me I believe as the chair of the Senate FR committee I think he could be a great asset to a new Democratic president.
Let me add that I will submit to the will of the Democratic party and fully support whomsoever they choose to run.

[1corona4u]

9. I'm not going to try and change anyone's mind...

but, to be fair, I ask that you read his floor statement. We all know credit card companies abuse consumers, and they always have. This didn't just happen after the BK bill. I remember being treated the same way back in 1995. The good thing is, they are voluntary. I would also like you to note, that since the bill went into affect, BK's continue to rise, so I'm not sure it hindered anyone's ability to file a BK.

It won't let me post the whole thing here, so I will post the reasons he supported it, and the link will be below;


March 10, 2005
Statement

Floor Statement: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005


Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, several years ago, when we were considering this legislation, I spoke here on the Senate floor about some important provisions that I think have been overlooked in our discussions. In my remarks today I will repeat what I said back then, in March of 2001.

We have heard a lot in recent days about how this bill lacks compassion--specifically, that it will hurt women and children who depend on alimony and child support.

Critics claim that by making sure that more money is paid back to other creditors, this bill will make it harder for women and children to get what is coming to them.

I am particularly proud of my record of protecting women and children during my career in the Senate. That record includes the Violence Against Women Act to protect women threatened by domestic violence.

I am here again today to show that, contrary to a lot of the rhetoric that has been tossed around, this bill actually improves the situation of women and children who depend on child support. It specifically targets the problems they face under the current bankruptcy system into a virtual extension of the current national family support collection system.

There may be other aspects of this legislation that we can debate: the balance between creditors and debtors, between different kinds of creditors, or between different kinds of debtors. But on the question of child support and alimony, there should be no dispute.

Because this bill strengthens the collection of alimony. Period.

http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=234426&&&search_field=bankruptcy

[walk softly]

10. This is in reply to my Oct 23 comments?

2 years after the passage of the 2005 Bankruptcy Bill I don't have figures for the success of strengthening the collection of alimony, but with the threat of recession hanging over our heads, the $3+ gas prices, food costs soaring, more Americans being threatened by foreclosure and the number of Americans without health insurance numbered in the millions, I think most folks would agree it was not good legislation for the country.

I think 2008 will see a majority of voters voting their pocket books and I don't think Sen Biden's rationale for supporting this legislation will carry much weight.

Senator Biden has many strengths, and if he is our nominee, I plan to strongly support him.

[1corona4u]

11. Well, no offense...

but the soaring gas prices, and the cost of food, nor the forclosures have anything to do with the BK bill. Gas; ask Bush about that. Food, see the gas prices. Forclosures; see people who bit off more than they could chew, in their hast to take a loan with an ARM they weren't prepared to either reevaluate, or refi. Health insurance, as it always has been, is a problem. It was even before the BK bill. If you read the bill, it does not exclude any source for the cause of filing a BK. Specifically, you can still file a chapter 7, as long as you don't have more than $100 a month in DMI.(disposible monthly income) If you do, you have to file a chapter 13. That's really the only difference.

And, yes, I just found this post, as I was directed to it. I wasn't even on the board back in October.

[kad7777]

5. regarding the bankruptcy bill

I, too, disagree with Biden’s work on the bankruptcy bill, but I understand his reasons for voting for it. He was in a different position than most senators: the bill strengthened alimony laws, something he had worked toward for a long time (which fits with his history as author of Violence Against Women Act). It was also supposed to help his own Delaware constituency. Remember, Senators have to represent their home state as much as they do the country. Like I say, I disagree with his vote, but given the circumstances, I won't let it overshadow his experience, knowledge, and plans for Iraq, Iran, Social Security, education, Darfur, Afghanistan, Health Care and more. I should also add that plenty of other senators were more "key" for the bill than Biden - he didn't co-sponsor it like Nelson (NE) and Johnson, and he wasn't the lead Dem on the relevant committee(s).

FYI - Hillary Clinton, was the only senator to skip that vote. If you want to look over Biden's stance on the middle class, take a look at:
http://www.joebiden.com/newscenter/pressreleases?id=0168

[walk softly]

6. Don't want to appear negative

because I will support the Democratic candidate and besides, not allowed here. However, I think it's important for folks to check back with Daily Kos's The Bankruptcy Bill, Examined (from March 06, 2005)and form their own judgment.

www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/6/63144/06015

62 pages of Democratic amendments trying to protect consumers including seniors, young families, victims of predatory lending practices, even troops in Iraq - all defeated by 100% Repugs and 3-4 Democratic Senators including Senator Biden.

[kad7777]

7. If the bankruptcy bill is an issue that keeps anyone from

supporting Joe Biden, it's understandably their choice to do so. Every candidate has done one thing or another to push voters away. Whether it's Hillary, Joe Biden, Reagan, whoever. I weigh it out to where we are now as a nation, and who is (I believe), best to lead us. With over 34 years in the Senate, eventually, issues will be on the table that many voters have trouble supporting. We'll find faults with any Senator who has had a tenure as long as Joe Biden. When I weigh his experience in the Senate, the knowledge he possesses, his experience and diplomacy in foreign relations, authoring the Violence Against Women Act, his spearheading to put 100,00 more police on the streets during the Clinton administration, his convincing Bill Clinton to go into Bosnia to get rid of the genocide and Molosevic, his plan for Iraq, the respect he has from his peers (both Dem & Rep), and many, many more issues he has taken stands on and has expressed his solutions regarding, I can't help but support Joe Biden for President. Especially after checking out where the other candidates stand on the same issues.

Best,
JDS

[youthere]

8. This Iowan will be supporting Biden.

[haroldgiowa]

18. As will I NT

[Tashca]

12. Nice letter

I am obviously new here. I read your letter and I felt a need to respond. I have attended several caucuses in the past and have hosted two ...always for the Democrats. I take the first in the nation status very seriously and try to do a thorough job picking a candidate. Four years ago I caucused for John Edwards. I have finally made my decision in the last few days to caucus for Senator Biden. My wife and I have spent many hours researching who fits our beliefs the closest and we came to the same conclusion. Biden is certainly not perfect but we feel the best person to take this country forward.

[cyberswede]

13. Welsome to DU

...and the Iowa Forum, Bellator!

[Debi]

14. Welcome to DU Bellator

:hi:

And welcome to the cozy club called the Iowa Forum.

Great folks here (and cyberswede ... or was it Rambis?? ... is planning a Jan. 4th after-caucus get together at the Irish Democrat hope to meet you there) :bounce:

Debi

[Tashca]

15. Thank you

Thank you for the welcomes. One of my very first dates with my wife was too the ID. My daughter told me I would love it because of the people there and all the Democrat memorabilia. She was right...I enjoyed it immensely. The food was great. We continue to go there because of the atmosphere and a special meaning for us. Unfortunately we will not be able to attend that evening. Thank you for the invite!!

[kad7777]

16. Iowans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUC8LeZ1hM4

[dsmmom]

17. I will be caucusing for Biden on Jan 3

Thanks so much much for posting the links and sharing your passion for Joe Biden. He truly is a remarkable person!

[kad7777]

19. Thank you for caucusing for him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUC8LeZ1hM4