I got stuck with Representative Howard Coble (NC-06) after the 2010 redistricting gerrymander. Thanks to NC's ever-shifting Congressional districts, Mr. Coble is my 4th representative in the past 20 years, following Mel Watt (NC-12), Bob Etheridge (NC-2) and David Price (NC-4), even though my address changed only once.
I never knew how good I had it with Watt, Etheridge, and Price.
Howard Coble, who is 82 and was first elected in 1984, has been my rep since January and he's finally gotten around to answering my mail. They are apparently getting some heat up there in DC over the government shutdown because that's what he wrote me about.
His reply in full, the bold emphasis is mine:
Thank you for contacting our office regarding the temporary government shutdown. We appreciate hearing from you.
On September 28, the House passed, with my support, H.J. Res. 59, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution of 2014. This resolution would allow the government to be funded until December 15, 2013, while delaying the Obamacare individual mandate for one year. On Monday, September 30, the Senate voted to strip the House's bill of these provisions, and thus force a government shutdown.
Following the Senate's latest rejection of the continuing resolution (CR), House Republicans offered three reasonable appropriation measures to assist our veterans, keep our national parks and museums open, and allow the District of Columbia to spend locally-produced revenue.
It is clear that the American people have spoken loud and clear and they want the government funded and they want a delay in the implementation of Obamacare, which President Obama has already done for large employers and other special interests, but not average citizens. As we are seeing in North Carolina, where 60% of counties will only have one insurance company in the health care exchange, this government overhaul of our health care system, is full of glitches and false starts.
We wholly support efforts to prevent implementation of health care reform as we believe it is a fundamentally flawed policy. We also strongly believe that members of Congress, the Executive Branch and political appointees should be treated just like hard-working Americans if Obamacare goes into effect. We will all have to live under the same health care system. Currently, Congress and their staff are not exempt from Obamacare. Rather, it is up to each member to determine for themselves and their staff whether they will continue to receive contributions from the government.
Peacefully resolving our differences and finding a common ground is proof of the effective balance of powers in the American government. One bill in particular that the House and Senate have agreed upon is H.R. 3210, the Pay Our Military Act. H.R. 3210 was introduced by Rep. Coffman (R-CO) on September 28, 2013. This bill passed in the House 423-0, with my support, passed in the Senate, and was signed into law by the President. This legislation ensures that military personnel will still receive pay regardless of a government shutdown.
We believe that Congress must come together in order to work most effectively and we are hopeful that through negotiations we will find areas of agreement. We are not in favor of a government shutdown and we are actively working with our colleagues to create the best possible outcome for the American people.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views. Please feel free to contact our office if we may be of assistance during this time or in the future.
Sincerely,
(signed)
HOWARD COBLE
Member of Congress
In a nutshell:
- The shutdown is the Senate's fault
- We offered to fund the stuff we like but mean ol' Harry Reid said no
- The other insurance companies are afraid of Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, which is clearly Obama's fault
- Blah blah Congressional benefits that I voted for are evil and Hitleresque
- Blah blah bipartisanship is awesome
Coble won 61-39 in 2012 against an invisible Democrat. We've got an uphill battle here in NC, but it all starts with good candidates and I think we have one in attorney Laura Fjeld
Laura served for the last five years as Vice President and General Counsel for the seventeen campus University of North Carolina system. Prior to that, Laura represented small and large North Carolina businesses with two of the state’s most prominent law firms.
While working and raising her family, Laura has been a consistent advocate for children and education, volunteering on a number of non-profit boards and organizations.
You can donate to Laura here:
https://secure.actblue.com/...
Let's put some heat on Howard Coble. He's a liar, and he's too dumb to represent NC in DC. 30 years is long enough.