An Open Letter to Congressman Tim Bishop

PATCHOGUE, NY (09/09/2008)(readMedia)--

Dear Tim,

Welcome back!

Monday marked the end of the less-than-deserved, five-week vacation for you and your Congressional colleagues. As the deciding vote that sent Congress off for more than a month by a count of 213-212, you've unfortunately missed a lot.

While you were away, we've continued suffering from high gas prices, helicopter noise, illegal immigration issues, and high taxes in large part due to an inefficient government. We have also continued our successes in Iraq-which you continue to deny.

I'm shocked that after visiting our troops, and refusing to apologize for voting against the ammunition, supplies and equipment they are using to survive, you continue to insist that the surge was a failure. Even as your fellow liberal, Barack Obama, has spoken that the surge has "succeeded beyond our wildest dreams" you continue to stand even to the left of him by denying the success of Gen. Petraeus and our troops.

Each weekend, our district continues to experience what amounts to the cross between a reality show and air show, as our homes are continually buzzed by heavy helicopter and air traffic. This is a problem that persists in light of your empty promises. You're on the House Transportation Committee-you're in a position to do something!

We need a representative who represents us, and we need to know, where's your leadership?

Finally, Gas prices are still hovering near $4 per gallon. Again, you were in such a rush to start your summer vacation that Congress never had the opportunity to pass the American Energy Act, which would increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump and reduce America's increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy.

To recap, while we needed leadership in the face of a war, to deal with an energy crisis and address local issues, you decided to go on vacation. When I think of all these missed opportunities and more, I can't help but recall the CNN footage of you walking out with your fellow Washington cronies, smiling on the Capital steps en route to your vacation. All of which leads me to ask:

Aside from bringing home $.79 on every dollar Congress hands out, what is it that you do for us, anyway?

Long Island's Future Begins Now,

Lee Zeldin

Candidate for Congress

-30-

For more information on Lee's campaign please visit us at www.zeldin08.com

Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress