An Open Letter to Senator Barbara Boxer

Dear Senator Boxer,

I watched the rebroadcast of your appearance on CNN's State of the Union show last night. Thank you for informing me that you were going to be giving your views on this show.

I was disappointed again on your views on Afghanistan and the Health Care legislation issues. Even though you frequently dodged the questions I think you know exactly where you stand on these issues and that you know that your positions on these issues are partisan and will appeal only to the left wing of your party, and not to the majority of your constituents that you hope will vote for you next November.

I also think you will be particularly hard pressed to receive support from those of us that have become dependent on Medicare Advantage insurance. The projected cuts will make it very difficult for those on Medicare. I'll make a deal with you, though, cut the retirement and boondoggle benefits that Congress receives and I'll go along with it.

I also believe that small businesses will be forced to lay off employees, and that it is morally, and maybe constitutionally wrong to force people to buy medical insurance.

I also think you are terribly wrong on your position on "Climate Change" legislation. Cap and Trade is probably the worst thing that can be done at this time. Its impact on the economy would be devastating if the legislation under consideration is passed. We need to reduce our independence on foreign oil by exploring for and using ALL the domestic resources that we have at our disposal. Especially in the areas of oil, coal, and gas. And we need to expand the use of solar, wind, and geothermal generators of electricity as well.

Battery technology development is an area that can result in big dividends and the development of geo-thermal technology as a means of heating in the winter and cooling in the summer provides a very promising means of generating cheap heating and cooling. Please educate yourself on these technologies.

Please allow me to say a couple more things about Afghanistan. My son went to Iraq in 2007 as part of the surge and is back there this year for another tour. His job there is to train Iraqi National Police so that they will eventually be able to provide sufficient security for their country. He knows first hand the positive impact the surge has had on the war on terror in Iraq. I believe that Gen. Petraeus, Gen. McChrystal, and Adm. Mullen are the people to be looking to for guidance.

With all due respect, neither you, President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, or Vice President Biden are qualified to decide what should be done in Afghanistan, assuming that you still want to win over there.

However, if you want to lose, I'm sure that between the four of you that you could easily find a way to do just that. But, for the sake of the mission (that you voted for), our troops, and the security of Afghanistan and America please listen to our Commanders on the ground and don't use Afghanistan as a political football. America doesn't want another Vietnam.

Thanks for listening,

Preston Osborne
Cherry Valley, CA 92223