By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
A campaign launched three weeks ago by a popular on-line news source has resulted in more than four million “pink slips” being sent to members of Congress, warning them that a vote for higher spending , socialized medicine, cap-and-trade legislation and hate-crimes bills will result in a “pink slip” on election day 2010.
The campaign, which was the brainchild of Janet Porter, president of Faith2Action, and launched by World Net Daily (WND), offers to send a “pink slip” to every member of Congress for $29.95. The slip lists four key issues that senders consider unacceptable: 1) government health care; 2) cap and trade; 3) hate crimes, and; 4) more spending.
“If you vote for any of these, your real pink slip will be issued in the next election,” the slip warns.
This brief but effective message is individually addressed to all 535 members of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and delivered by Federal Express for about six cents per message.
Less than a month after its inception, the program has already sent more than four million “pink slips,” so many that delivery was delayed because the Capitol mailroom was overwhelmed by the sheer volume.
“This is causing quite a stir in Congress and we’re just getting started,” said Ms. Porter, president of Faith2Action. “It’s unprecedented and has captured the attention of even those who haven’t been listening to the town halls and tea parties. They are starting to trip over boxes with personalized messages they can no longer ignore!”
Lawmakers agree. “We’ve already received thousands of pink slips in our office, and I think this is a good wake-up call for Congress,” said Sen. Jim DeMint, (R-SC). “I’m encouraged that Americans across the country are standing up and speaking out for constitutional, limited government. Congress needs to get the message loud and clear: stop the spending, stop the takeovers, and stand up for our freedoms.”
“Ultimately it is the private citizen who is the final judge on the success or failure of the government,” said Rep. Todd Akin, (R-MO). “The ‘pink slip campaign’ serves as a good reminder of the unavoidable fact that every member of Congress answers to their constituents and that they ignore their voices at their own peril.”
“The pink slips program is a great way to get the attention of members who have forgotten they will have to answer to the people next year on out-of-control spending and Washington power grabs,” Rep. Michele Bachmann, (R-MN). “I support it! And I want my constituents to know I hear them loud and clear.”
Joseph Farah, editor and chief executive officer of WND, hopes the messages will have an impact on those members of Congress who are worried about re-election.
“I believe this campaign, already tremendously successful beyond my wildest expectations, can have a real impact on politicians whose first priority is getting re-elected,” Farah said.
“I think this might be our last chance to give congressional Democrats something to think about before they destroy the country. It might be our last, best hope of stopping the madness.”
If anything, the effort clearly shows that “Americans are mobilized to take action to stop Washington’s plans for bigger, more expensive and more intrusive government,” Farah said.
For more information about the program, visit http://www.sendcongressapinkslip.com/
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