Michael Cannarella

1565 SW Highland Pkwy

Portland, OR 97221

The Honorable Senator Jeff Merkley

531 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Merkley: June 1, 2021

I am writing to you to share with you my biggest concern.  I am seventy-two years old and although I lived through the late 1960’s with the Vietnam war and I was present in Detroit for the 1967 riots I have never in my life felt that our democracy was more at risk.

When I read that the income inequality in the U.S is equal to that of the Soviet Union or China the rise of an authoritarian despot, what we endured for four years, is easier to understand.  I know that it can be lost in the twenty-four hour news cycle or dismissed by Fox news commentators, but, in this country we have reached an incredibly important moment in our history.

I believe either we begin to address the inequality; plus the infrastructure and immigration issues or we will be sowing the fields for another despot.  I know there is BIG money working against us.  But, people have to feel that their human needs are being addressed by one of the major political parties or they will fall under the spell of the next authoritarian seeking power who will leverage the discontent to destroy our democratic institutions.  This is not hyperbole; we have already seen the evidence of this in our last President.  

I feel incredibly fortunate, and I am proud to have you as my representatives in the U.S Congress.  I know you are working hard and doing good work.  My fear however is that you and your colleagues will not find the path to act on these very real human needs and many people will say they have not found a friend in either party who understands their real life challenges, issues and pain.  

The United States is not immune from authoritarianism.  Given another opportunity I fear they will get the job done, more of their people in the courts, the Justice Department, Supreme Count and other Federal agencies to cement their hold on power.  Who would have thought someone would attempt to use the U.S Post Office as the means to thwart a democratic election? 

I have to admit that I send you many email petitions on these issues and I sometimes wonder if these are more of a nuisance, given that I know and share your positions on most of these policies.  I do want you to know that I support your positions, therefore I click and send.

My letter today is heartfelt, I feel it in my chest and it arises as I have said from the fear that you and your colleagues will not find the way to overcome the inertia, and you won’t find a way to move your colleagues who are comfortable with the status quo or see it as the safest path to reelection.  Please find a way to move forward and make some progress addressing these human needs.  I feel like more than anytime in my life this is essential for the preservation of our democracy.

I have a daughter not yet thirty years old, (I know I am not unique) who will be starting a family soon.  She worked as an intern in your office Senator Merkley.  I would like to believe that she and her children would be able to live in a democracy as I have been privileged to do.

Please, please find a way to move the meaningful legislation the majority of people in this country need and support. 

Thank you for your efforts to date.