01/12/2006

Dear Representative,

I would like to congratulate you on your vote in favor of H 1230, the bill that would have allowed immigration criminals to be subsidized at the in-state tuition rate should they decide to attend college in the Commonwealth.

Regardless of where these fine people are from, or the fact that they are already entitled to the resident tuition rate and all the other the privileges of citizenship in their country of legal residence, the fact is they work here in the Commonwealth and pay taxes (when not working for cash off the books).

They should therefore be entitled to the exact same rights and privileges as the few citizens of the United States that have not yet chosen to leave the Commonwealth for Florida.

National "citizenship" is an overrated and outdated concept, anyway. It was, after all, American "citizens" that killed the Indians and executed Tookie Williams -as you no doubt know.

Since you are so open-minded and unbound by concepts such as "citizenship" and "place of legal residency," I wonder if you might take the next logical step and allow Americans to vote both in the district of their "legal" residence and in the district where they currently work?

Through no fault of their own, there are many economic refugees who cannot afford to live in particular districts within the Commonwealth, despite having worked there -- contributing to our economy -- for many years. Horridly, there are even many who cannot afford to live in the Commonwealth at all -despite filling the necessary jobs that no Bay Stater will do. Surely these New Hampshirites and others should be able to vote (and even run for office) in your district?

Please let me know if you would be willing to sponsor legislation allowing non-residents to vote in your district. They have been discriminated against too long.

Keep up the good fight, my progressive friend!

Sincerely,

Mac Johnson
(Potentially, an undocumented voter in your district)