Cuban Missile Crisis - Oct. 14, 1962

On this day in history the Cuban Missile Crisis began, bringing the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear conflict. Photographs taken by a high-altitude U-2 spy plane offered incontrovertible evidence that Soviet-made medium-range missiles in Cuba—capable of carrying nuclear warheads—were now stationed 90 miles off the American coastline.

Tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union over Cuba had been steadily increasing since the failed April 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, in which Cuban refugees, armed and trained by the United States, landed in Cuba and attempted to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro. Though the invasion did not succeed, Castro was convinced that the United States would try again, and set out to get more military assistance from the Soviet Union. During the next year, the number of Soviet advisors in Cuba rose to more than 20,000. Rumors began that Russia was also moving missiles and strategic bombers onto the island. Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev may have decided to so dramatically up the stakes in the Cold War for several reasons. He may have believed that the United States was indeed going to invade Cuba and provided the weapons as a deterrent. Facing criticism at home from more hard-line members of the Soviet communist hierarchy, he may have thought a tough stand might win him support. Khrushchev also had always resented that U.S. nuclear missiles were stationed near the Soviet Union (in Turkey, for example), and putting missiles in Cuba might have been his way of redressing the imbalance. Two days after the pictures were taken, after being developed and analyzed by intelligence officers, they were presented to President Kennedy. During the next two weeks, the United States and the Soviet Union would come as close to nuclear war as they ever had, and a fearful world awaited the outcome.

Letter to National Write Your Congressman

"I want to thank the National Write Your Congressman organization for working to keep Americans informed and involved in the democratic process.  Your organization's bipartisan effort should be commended.

I have always encouraged all West Virginians to reach out to me as often as possible.  I strongly believe in the philosophy of retail government - providing the best possible service to my constituents and being available to hear their ideas, priorities and concerns." -Senator Joe Manchin, III, West Virginia

Democracy Only Works When Americans Participate

"As I have always said, Arkansas Comes First, is more than just a slogan.  It is my commitment that as a U.S. Senator I will work hard every day to represent the interests and concerns of the prople of Arkansas.

Since a majority of my time is spent in Washington representing Arkansas, I welcome the thoughtful phone calls, emails and letters from constituents back home.  Whether a suggestion or a criticism, this correspondence helps me make the best possible decisions when casting votes or supporting legislation.  I also place responding to the incoming mail and phone calls among my highest priorities.

Democracy only works when Americans participate in their government, and when their voices a heard.  I encourage the National Write Your Congressman organization to continue its efforts in helping bring public officials and their consittuents together."  Mark Pryor, Senator, Arkansas

Constituent Liberty

"Every day of the year, thousands of individuals and businesses practice their freedom and liberty by communicating their views and concerns to public officials.  It is a cherished right, and one that should be celebrated and applauded, and through the efforts of National Write Your Congressman, it is being expanded." -Congressman Mike McIntyre, 7th District, North Carolina

Power From The Consent Of The Governed

"More than 200 years ago, our country's founders brilliantly established a representative system whereby the government receives its power from the consent of the governed.

Constituent communication is a crucial tool that allows myself and other elected officials to better represent those who elected us to office.  Without it, the voice of the people is in danger of going unheard.

Thank you for the good work you do at National Write Your Congressman to encourage Americans to take an active role in our cherished representative democracy." -Congressman Mike Pence, 6th District, Indiana

Constituent Opinion - Write Your Congressman

"Speaking for myself, constituent opinions are a curcial component to my decision-making process as a Member of Congress.  I was elected to represent my constituents and their interests in Washington.  The only way I can do that effectively is if I hear directly from my constituents on what is important to them and why.

I receive these opinions in a variety of ways.  Often times, constituents will place calls, write letters, or send e-mails to my office after reading an article in the newspaper or hearing something about a proposal.  My staff records each of these opinions which I later read.  In addition, many people approach me at events in my district to chat with me about what they are thinking on a particular issue.  Both modes of communication are important.

I thank you and your organization for communicating the importance of constituent opinions.  Please let me know if I can help in this effort in any way." -Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, 1st District, Rhode Island

NWYC's Contribution To Democracy

"We in Congress are elected by our constituents to represent their views in the legislative process.  My role here in Washington D.C. is to represent the people of the 18th district of Texas.  I take my responsibility to my constituents very seriously.  For me to accomplish this goal I must know their opinions, thoughts and concerns on all the legislative issues.

The National Write Your Congressman (NWYC) program facilitates communication between my office and my constituents:  a communication that is fundamental to the well being of our government, our society, and our country.  I would like to thank the NWYC for its outstanding contribution to our democracy, and I applaud your efforts.  Thank you." -Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, 18th District, Texas

Responsive Citizenry

"Thomas Jefferson once said, 'Determine never to be idle.  It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.'  When he and his fellow founding fathers built this Nation, they imagined an active, not passive citizenry, and a government responsive to their needs, where the wishes and desires of every citizen would be taken into account.

To realize this dream of a government reactive to the will of the people, we must have a dynamic and responsive citizenry.

The National Write Your Congressman campaign aspires to achieve this goal, and aims to give every American the opportunity to have his or her opinion reach those who need to hear it." -Congressman Mark Steven Kirk, 10th District, Illinois

God Bless Our Troops

Our Midwestern Region manager, Tim Smith, is the proud father of Captain Kyle Smith who is serving our country in Iraq.  The following was sent to Tim by his son.

"Please let your colleagues know how important I think your work is.  The military and NWYC work toward the same end - to ensure the freedom we enjoy in America is preserved.  We fight different battles, but they are both worth fighting.  I am proud of the work you do, Dad, and feel honored that your company values our military so highly."

May God bless our troops in all they do.

On This Day In History

On September 25, 1789, the first Congress of the United States approved 12 amendments to the U.S. Constitution and sent them to the states for ratification.  The amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were designed to protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens, guaranteeing the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and exercise of religion, the right to fair legal procedure and to bear arms, and that powers not delegated to the federal government were reserved for the states and the people.

Fighting To Defend The American Way Of LIfe

"One of the first responsibilities of our freedom is to vote.  Equally important responsibilities are to become informed and to make your opinion known to your elected officials.  Our forefathers put their lives on the line to earn our freedom and frame our Representative Republic.  Our nation's brave soldiers have been fighting to defend this American way of life for over 230 years.  I hope that no one takes our freedoms for granted.

I challenge every American to be active in our government and I applaud the National Write Your Congressman campaign which aspires to achieve this goal.  Remember OUR government IS the people." -Philip M. Crane, MC, Former Congressman 8th Dist. of Illinois

John F. Kennedy Quotes

"A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people." -President John F. Kennedy

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -President John F. Kennedy

Learning From Constituents

"I often hear from individuals who participate in the National Write Your Congressman Organization, and I take pleasure in reading the comments. I also receive many phone calls and emails at the direction of them.

Listening to and learning from constituents is the most important part of my job. Many complex issues come before Congress, and it is a difficult task to sort through many of those issues. Hearing the views of the people I represent helps lighten the burden of that task." -Congressman Dave Camp, 4th District, Michigan

Labor Day

Labor Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date was chosen as Cleveland was concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Foundation of Democracy

"As a representative of the people, it is my honor and duty to serve the interests of my constituents. Therefore, their communication and correspondence is vital to establishing a true understanding of their stance on important issues.

As a diverse group of individuals, their input provides necessary variety and creativity to public policy. Each letter, call, email, and fax from our constituents is valuable for obtaining viewpoints, creating solutions, and determining the impact of upcoming legislation.

Over the years, your organization has served to connect the people to their representatives, preserving the foundation of democracy. I would like to thank the National Write Your Congressman for your continued service to the people and founding principles of the United States of America. -Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, 5th District, Florida

Letter to NWYC

"As an elected official, I can't do my job properly unless I know my constituents' opinions and concerns. That's why it's so important that citizens take the time to write their representatives to let them know how they feel. An informed and intelligent dialogue between government and citizenry is critical to the well-being of our democracy. I may not always agree with everything that people write to me, but know that I take every letter and e-mail seriously, and always take the time to respond.

I applaud your ongoing efforts to strengthen participatory democracy through the encouraging a constituent correspondence. Keep up the good work!" -Congressman Jose' E. Serrano, 16th District, New York

James Madison - Two Things Required for a Democratic System To Work

"The House of Representatives was intended to be the most representative element of the United States government. James Madison, the primary author of the U.S. Constitution, explained that the House should have "an immediate dependence on, and an intimate sympathy with the people." In order for our democratic system to work the way our founding fathers imagined two things are required. First, the people must be informed. It is essential that we have a government that is open to the public and a media that is free from government influence. Second, the people must be involved. Americans must communicate their views, beliefs and ideas to their elected representatives." -Congressman Leonard L. Boswell, 3rd District, Iowa

Letter to NWYC from Senator Edward M. Kennedy

"Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the importance of the correspondence I receive from my constituents. All too often, people underestimate the effectiveness of writing a letter or making a phone call to their representatives in Congress. In fact, it's the oxygen of our daily work. Serving the state of Massachusetts is the greatest privilege of my life. I care very deeply about what they think of the issues we're dealing with or should be dealing with, and how well we're dealing with them.

As an elected official, I deeply value and appreciate the feedback of my constituents. A current, in-depth appreciation of their needs and concerns is vital to the effectiveness of my work, and a major source of that understanding comes from the phone calls, the emails, and the letters I receive every day. It is through this contact that constituents are able to let me know of the issues that are most important to their lives, and I do my best to respond to their concerns.

I commend National Write Your Congressman for its leadership in involving members of communities in their government. Thank you for your work, and for providing me the occasion to discuss such an important issue, and for keeping all of us in Congress in closer touch with the constituents we serve." -Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts, Nov. 1, 2005

National Write Your Congressman

"During this unique time of peril and promise, Members of Congress confront a multitude of critical issues. When I cast my votes on the floor of the House of Representatives, I strive to reflect the values and views of the people of Southeast Texas - many of whose concerns I learn via the correspondence they submit to my office.

The participation of citizens in the democratic process constitutes a significant facet of our government. As Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." Accordingly, I deeply appreciate National Write Your Congressman's contributions to encouraging political activism nationwide." -Congressman Ted Poe, 2nd District, Texas

Incorporation of the Bill of Rights

The incorporation of the Bill of Rights (or incorporation for short) is the process by which American courts have applied portions of the U.S. Bill of Rights to the states. Prior to the 1890's, the Bill of Rights was held only to apply to the federal government. Under the incorporation doctrine, most provisions of the Bill of Rights now also apply to the state and local governments, by virtue of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.

Prior to the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment and the development of the incorporation doctrine, in 1833 the Supreme Court held in Barron v. Baltimore that the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal, but not any state, government. Even years after the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment the Supreme Court in United States v. Cruikshank, still held that the First and Second Amendment did not apply to state governments. However, beginning in the 1890's, a series of United States Supreme Court decisions interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment to "incorporate" most portions of the Bill of Rights, making these portions, for the first time, enforceable against the state governments. -Wikipedia, state rights