Archive for September 25, 2009
Just Got a Wimpy Ass Update From DINO Mark Udall
Here it is. “Mark’s Update.”
Nothing — NOTHING — about supporting the public option or EFCA. It’s wimperville all the way. And this from the nephew of Morris Udall, a champion of liberal causes. What a disappointment this guy is.
Here’s the email in full, other than the part I cut out at the bottom that listed the addresses of his offices (if you want that info, let me know):
————————————————————-
Mark’s Update | September 24, 2009
Greetings
It’s hard to believe it’s already September; the months have gone by quickly. It’s been a busy year – I’ve opened eight regional offices across our state. And in the Senate, I’ve been fighting for resources for farmers on the Eastern Plains, working with the military to ensure our service members and veterans are getting the care they have earned, pushing to create more clean energy jobs across the state, fighting for a program to increase the number of doctors practicing in Colorado’s rural communities, and more. Already this year, Congress has expanded children’s health insurance, passed legislation to help rebuild our economy, and made good on a promise I’ve been fighting for years to fulfill – creating wilderness in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Over the last month, I had the opportunity to travel across the state. While I try to come home each weekend, it was good to spend a full month talking about what Coloradans want to see from health insurance reform, the clean energy bill we’re working on, and to discuss other concerns.
My time back in Colorado left me energized and ready to get back to work in Congress. We still have a lot of critical work to do here – from health insurance reform to appropriations bills that keep the federal government running. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues – in both parties – to roll up our sleeves and tackle the critical issues.
Sincerely,
Mark Udall
Energy Hearing
On Aug. 24 in Estes Park, I held a field hearing of my Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee on National Parks with Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who serves on the subcommittee with me. The topic of our hearing was climate change impacts on Colorado’s parks, and before the hearing, we got a chance to see some of the apparent impacts in Rocky Mountain National Park. From bark beetle infestations to changes to wildlife habitat, Rocky Mountain National Park alone has undergone changes due in part to rising temperatures. We discussed what climate change means for national parks, and how they are adapting to and mitigating the impacts.
LEARN more about our field hearing and read my opening statement
Durango Town Hall
On Aug. 27, I held a town hall meeting in Durango to talk about building a clean energy economy in Colorado and to hear from citizens about what they’d like to see in health insurance reform. While we didn’t always agree on everything, that conversation was a great chance for me to hear what folks have to say, and talk through those important issues. And I think we found common ground. I continue to take what I learn from Coloradans back to Washington to help me shape policy.
WATCH a part of my town hall
Rural Health Care
Earlier this year, I introduced a bill to help ensure that rural Coloradans can get better access to health care. My bill would address one of the biggest barriers to care for rural Coloradans by helping increase the number of doctors practicing in rural communities. In August, I got a chance to visit a rural clinic in Mancos that serves patients from across the Four Corners region in five Colorado counties and three states.
WATCH a video about my visit to Mancos.
READ more about my Rural Physicians Pipeline Act
“Don’t leave rural America behind on reform” – The Pueblo Chieftain
Colorado Springs Visit
In the first week in September, I visited Colorado Springs to formally open my office there and to meet with military leaders in the area. I convened the first meeting of my new Military Advisory Committee, a group of military experts from a variety of fields who have agreed to meet regularly with me and provide insight on issues affecting our armed services. They will help me fight more effectively for Colorado’s military needs on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Later, I met with leaders and airmen at Schriever Air Force Base. And the next day, I had a chance to sit down with Maj. Gen. Perkins at Fort Carson to discuss several issues, including improving mental health care for our soldiers.
READ about my Military Advisory Committee
LEARN more about my visit
“Udall visits Springs military installations, names military advisory committee” – The Colorado Springs Gazette
Regional Offices
I also got to visit with constituents at several of my regional offices. I have offices and staff in Denver, Grand Junction, Pueblo, Greeley, Colorado Springs, and Durango. Additionally, I have two regional directors based in the Central Mountains and Northwest Colorado. These regional offices are here for you. Please see below for information on how to reach me in Colorado and Washington, D.C., if you need help with a federal agency or just want to share what’s on your mind. I look forward to hearing from you!
Make Your Colon Happy
The weekend is upon us and I bet you’re going to spend four minutes, oh, I don’t know, drinking coffee. So take another four minutes and watch Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speak truth to power about health care. Your colon (heart, prostate, breast, appendix, etc.) will be glad you did:
At the Food Bank
Low on some basic foods like pork and beans today. Bread didn’t come in until mid-morning (it usually arrives on Thursday). Had cooking oil, flour and sugar — big treats — but as usual, no eggs or butter. Lots of fresh onions and carrots and boxes and boxes of melons. Lots of crappy, almost entirely artificial “instant” Mac’n Cheese. And lots of clients. They are always so grateful.
By the way, the staples you’d find if you went “shopping” at my food bank?
- Tuna (2 per family up to 5 people)
- Peanut Butter (1 per family up to 5 people)
- Canned chili and ravioli (2 per family up to 5 people)
- Canned beans, be they refried, pork and beans, Navy beans (2 per family up to 5 people)
- Soup (2 per 5)
- Dried beans (2 per 5)
- Canned veggies, primarily corn, carrots and peas (2 per 5)
- Canned fruit, primarily Mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail and pumpkin (2 per 5)
- Bread (2 per 5)
- Frozen meat — (1 per family; 2 per family of 6 or more)
- Spaghetti noodles (2 per 5)
- Ramen soup (we buy it at 17c ea. so we’re pretty liberal with this)
- Fake mac’n cheese (2 per family of up to 5 individuals)
- Milk – one per
- Yogurt (2, 3, 4 depending on size of family and availability)
- Cereal (one box per family unless larger than 5
- Sugar, flour, baking mixes, etc., not always available. We divide bags of these items into sandwich baggies and give out sparingly.
- Fresh veggies (Give out depending on amount available. Always concerned about stuff spoiling so that’s a big factor.)
- Toilet paper (everyone gets two rolls no matter the size of the family)
- Feminine products & baby diapers (when available – 8 per family)
- Vitamins (when available – one bottle per family)
That’s it. Never mind toothpaste, paper towel — I mean, you name it. This is it. Period. The only time this varies is when a local organization holds a food drive and “unusual” stuff comes in (or a random citizen drops something off).
