This is for slinkerwink, nyceve, and all the others who call for action to influence our reps in the Senate and House. I certainly wish that I had a representative in the federal government that could be contacted and influenced. In lieu of that, and since I'm on the mailing list of the pathetic representatives I have, here is what I wrote to Kay Granger of Fort Worth, my congressperson, when she asked for my input:
I am an expat voting from the above address. Our family took into consideration our healthcare options when we moved. The degradation in the amount of coverage offered by our employers increased as we got older despite the increasing value placed by our employers on our experience. My spouse shopped his expertise to the highest bidder, which happened to be in a country that had universal health care. We have done very well since, both in terms of salary compensation and health care coverage.
Coincidentally with the arrival of your questionnaire, my husband had a bad toothache that began last night. By noon today, we had registered with a dentist and he will be seen by noon tomorrow.
By the way, our taxes are not outrageous, considering we don't have fees for the many of services we now take for granted, including banking and road usage.
We wish we could move home to be with our friends and family in the US, but at the way things are going, we simply can't afford to.
The fact that Republicans are desperate enough to ask for input says something about the seething resentment all of us feel. If people like Kay Granger are grasping at straws, it is up to us to throw them an anchor.