Editor's note: The following letter was sent to U.S. Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R-Menomonee Falls) by Milwaukee business executive Craig Peterson, who shared the letter with BizTimes Milwaukee. The letter came in response to a story in the Milwaukee Jourrnal Sentinel about Sensenbrenner departing on lavish trips to Liechtenstein in recent years.
Dear Congressman Sensenbrenner:
I believe it may be time for you to move on.
To say I was flabbergasted by what I read this morning about your trip to Liechtenstein would be an understatement.
What color is the sun on your planet?
Your constituents are fighting for their economic survival. They are struggling to keep their homes. Some of them have been laid-off or experienced foreclosure. Your actions are a slap in the face to each of us trying to work harder, create and save jobs, and set an example for our employees, neighbors and children.
This economy is clearly a teaching moment for all of us. We cannot continue to do what may have been acceptable in the past.
As a former lobbyist, I admit that I have personally, professionally and financially benefited from nonprofit junkets sponsored by corporations through nonprofits. It is on these trips our clients receive incredible access to legislators and the ability to create friendships and relationships that go beyond the capitol dome. Relationships that average constituents do not have the opportunity to enjoy. And while I believe unnecessary government funded trips, in this economic environment should be halted, at least they are vetted before congressional leaders.
Mr. Congressman, as the owner of three businesses, I see every day the anxiety in my clients' and customers' eyes. They struggle to keep their doors open. Worry about getting credit from the bank to make payroll. Or question if they even have enough money in their grocery budget to buy a six-pack of beer.
Junkets and freebies are no longer acceptable.
Hard work, the ability to empathize with your constituents and being here, is acceptable.
You have had a long and impressive career. I have admired your conservative voice in the crowd of moderates. But perhaps there are other conservatives standing in the wings who know what it is like to sign the front of a paycheck, not only the back.
Earlier this week, several of your colleagues honored the 3,300 heroes headed off to Iraq. Your absence was an insult to their selflessness.
You no longer have my support or my vote.
Sincerely,
Craig J. Peterson
Chairman and CEO
Zigman Joseph Stephenson
Buffalo Water Beer Company
Hunter Industries
10 Comments
Hi Craig, you and I were duped by yet another badly written blog piece that the Urinal Sentinel pasted off as a news article. Apparently, Sensenbrenner did not use taxpayer money as the article lead us to believe. Although it appears Gwen moore did. Toward the end of the piece we learn that the trip was corporate sponsored and cleared (vetted) by the House Ethics Committee.
I believe as you he should have been at the ceremony to honor our troops.
Sensenbrenner should indeed step down, for far more serious infractions than one special-interest-paid trip to Liechtenstein. How about MANY paid trips? But more critically, Sensenbrenner voted for the 2003 Medicare Drug plan that put $780 billion into the pharmaceutical industry's coffers, all while he owned $5 million of stock in the industry. See more at:
http://throwtherascalsout.org/USrep-5-Sensenbrenner.htm
I can't believe one would write such a letter after reading a piece of highly partisan media.
In my opinion, Mr. Sensenbrenner is doing a fine job for Wisconsin. I send many letters his way commenting on near future congressional issues, and I always get a partially personalized response in return. At least it is not a canned response letter, and it is always referring to the issue at hand. Perhaps is it written by someone on his staff, but I always get a reply.
Let us back off Mr. Sensenbrenner a bit, and be happy that we have a Republican representing WI, keeping us one more step from the socialism mentioned in last Friday's Biz Blog.
Rep Sensenbrenner also voted against the treasury-breaking rescue bill. He is a true conservative and has voted the way I would. Sensy has my complete support. If he lost your vote--I'm sorry and I too am one of those hurting w/o work presently. Indeed, Mr Peterson, things are tough all over, .
I truly worry about the future of our country with fiscally irresponsible Democrats running the US. They are itching--no--foaming at the mouth to spend 5 to 10 trillion until the debt collapses the economy. By the way, the problem is not with President Obama, but with Nancy Pelosi etal.
I truly worry about Semsy eventually retiring from Congress. Those who have run against him have either been RINOs or leftist lightweights. He has done an excellent job of representing his constituents over the years. Would you rather have Gwen Moore or Tammy Baldwin as our rep?
Everyone who has been in political office as a career should step down. I am always bothered by someone who makes a career of elected office but I can never put my finger on exactly why.
I think the point Mr. Peterson makes about signing paychecks on the front is most appropriate.
A real leader eventually comes to an understanding that he is hanging out with a group of politicians and leaves on his own because he does not want to waste any more of his time or life with mediocre idiots.
It's a nice job, with some nice perks. At the end of your career and the end of your life, do you really want to have spent nearly all of your time with the people of the US Congress and their hangers on? (media included here) Its a shame to see someone waste their talents and their time the way Rep. Sensenbrenner has.
Jim, resign and do something with your life before its too late!
So, Sensenbrenner's voting for the 2003 Medicare Drug plan that put $780 billion into the pharmaceutical industry's coffers is "conservative?" If that's the case I'll take Liberal any day.
As Emily Litela would say, nevermind. Apparently Mr. Peterson is only outraged (even though mistakenly) about Republicans. So when are we going to get the letter from Mr. Peterson about Gwen Moore?
I do it find it funny that even if Rep. Sensenbrenner would have had his junket paid by taxpayers, it still would have cost under approximately $10,000. But Mr. Peterson has no comment about the mountains of waste in Obama's and the dems/socialist's $780+ billion Porkulus I bill.
Baloney. Jim is a world leader and regularly travels around the world meeting leaders to discuss mutual problems.
Evidently you would all prefer dumb schmucks in charge and retreat to "Fortress
America".
Uh, Bob, if I'm not mistaken Liechtenstein is not a place that "world leaders" normally congregate. Could it have anything to do with it being a tax haven, with his $30 million in net worth and all?
Besides, if it was a necessary trip and taxpayers picked up the tab, he'd actually be beholden to the taxpayers. Imagine that...
Amen!