MceZ Core Principle for May is EXCELLENCE!

Open letter for publication in MceZ-IT!

May 22, 2018

Subject: Muskegon Public Schools: Quality, Leadership and Reputation in question.

Dear Ms. Larson,

Thank you for your response of May 21, 2018 to my letter of May 21, 2018 attached below. I look forward to contacting you in the future.

Best regards,
Eunice Beck
MceZ.org
MceZ Policy and Disclaimer Statement

Cindy Larson, President ​

Cindy Larson
May 21, 2018

Questions 1 and 3 are the same. My priority has been and will continue to be whatever is in the best interests of our students giving them every opportunity to succeed. My frustration is what appears to be dissension among our board members. While there are questions to be addressed which we are doing, all of us have our students first and foremost while we make very difficult decisions.

Cindy Larson 

 4-17-18
Dear _____________,
Thank you for responding to my letter re: gun safety.  I am so disappointed to hear that you do not support a ban on assault weapons.  Military arms do not belong in civilian hands.  I assume you do receive funding from the NRA as I do remember you stating at a town hall once that you ' will accept money from anyone who wants to donate to you'.  This explains your stand on a ban on assault weapons. 

Sincerely, 
​Jackie 

Original and Third sending Letter sent:​

​Lamar Alexander (R), Tammy Baldwin (D), John Barrasso (R),Michael Bennet (D),  Richard Blumenthal (D), Roy Blunt (R), John Boozman (R), Maria Cantwell (D), Ben Cardin (D), Tom Carper (R), Bob Casey (D), Bill Cassidy (D), Susan Collins (R), John Cornyn (R), Steve Daines (R),  Joe Donnelly (D), Tammy Duckworth (D), Joni Ernst (R), Mike Enzi (R), Jeff Flake (R), Al Franken (D), Cory Gardner (R), Lindsay Graham (R), Chuck Grassley (R),  Kamala Harris (D), Margaret Wood Hassan (D), Orrin Hatch (R), Heidi Heitkanp (D), Dean Heller (R), Mazie Horono (D), John Hoeven (R), James Inofe (R), Johnny Isakson (R),  Ron Johnson (R), Tim Kaine (D), John Kennedy (R), Angus King (I),  Amy Klobuchar (D), James Lankford (R), Patrick Leahy (D), John McCain (R), Claire McCaskill (D), Joe Machin (D), Ed Markey (D), Catherine Cortez Masto (D), Robert Menendez (D), Jeff Merkley (D), Shelley Moore Capito (R), Jerry Moran (R), Christopher Murphy (D), Patty Murray (D), Bill Nelson (D), Gary Peters (D), Rob Portman (R), Jack Reed (D), Marco Rubio (R), Bernie Sanders (I), Brian Schatz (R), Tim Scott (R),   Jon Tester (D), Thom Tillis (R), Pat Toomey (R), Chris VanHollen (D), Mark Warner (D), Elizabeth Warren (D), Roger Wicker (R),  Ron Wyden (D), Todd Young (R)
Michigan Congressional Legislators: Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D), Rep. Jack Bergman (R),
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R). Rep. Dan Kildee (D), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D), Rep. Paul Mitchell (R),
​Rep. John Moolenaar (R),  Rep. Fred Upton (R)

Cory Booker (D), Sherrod Brown (D), Richard Burr (R), Thad Cochran (R), Chris Coons (R), Bob Corker (R),  Tom Cotton (R), Mike Crapo (R) Ted Cruz (R),  Dick Durbin (D), Dianne Feinstein (D), Deb Fischer (R), Kirsten Gillibrand (D), Martin Heinrich (D), Mike Lee (R), Lisa Murkowski (R),  Rand Paul (R),  James Risch (R),  Pat Roberts (R), Mike Rounds (R), Ben Sasse (R), Charles Schumer (D), Jeanne Shaheen (D), Richard Shelby (R), Daniel Sullivan (R),  John Thune (R), Tom Udall (D),  Sheldon Whitehouse (D),   
Michigan Congressional Legislators: Rep. Mike Bishop (R), Rep. John Conyers (D), ​Rep. Debbie Dingell (D), Rep. Sander Levin (D), Rep. Dave Trott (R), Rep. Tim Walberg (R)

The MceZ Core Principle for July is INNOVATION! 

On July 6, 2017, Walter Schaub, Director of the Office of Governmental Ethics, submitted his letter of resignation to President Trump stating that public service employees are required to put public trust and loyalty to the Constitution and ethical principles above private gain. It is reported by npr that during the six months between October 2008 and March 2009, as the Obama presidency was taking shape, it got 733 public contacts, such as calls, letters and emails. During the October 2016 to March 2017 period in the Trump era, it was swamped with 39,105 contacts — an increase of 5,235 percent between October, 2008.

July 31, 2017

Open Letter

Dear Senator _________, 

Thank you for your response of July 5 to my letter of June 24, 2017. As this is my third sending, this document will be published in Mcezupedia. If you care to respond to my letter at a later date, please do so and it will be added to the published document. As you already know, this is too important to be a partisan bill. A well written healthcare bill requires a minimum of one year of public hearings and debate including discussion of a single-payer national healthcare system, Committee review and multi-partisan input. I look forward to hearing from you and contacting you in the future.

Best Regards,
Doris Hale
Policy and Disclaimer Statement
www.MceZ.org

The MceZ Core Principle for August is Integrity! 

On July 6, 2017, Walter Schaub, Director of the Office of Governmental Ethics, submitted his letter of resignation to President Trump stating that public service employees are required to put public trust and loyalty to the Constitution and ethical principles above private gain. It is reported by npr that during the six months between October 2008 and March 2009, as the Obama presidency was taking shape, it got 733 public contacts, such as calls, letters and emails. During the October 2016 to March 2017 period in the Trump era, it was swamped with 39,105 contacts — an increase of 5,235 percent between October, 2008.

Open Letter
THIRD SENDING
August 6, 2017

Dear __________________, 

As this is my third sending, this document will be published in Mcezupedia at mcez.org. If you care to respond to my letter at a later date, please do so and it will be added to the published document. As you already know, this is too important to be a partisan bill. A well written healthcare bill requires a minimum of one year of public hearings and debate including discussion of a single-payer national healthcare system, Committee review and multi-partisan input. I look forward to hearing from you and contacting you in the future.

The MceZ Core Principle for June is FREEDOM!

Media reporting: On Thursday, June 22, the Tax Cut bill for the rich was finally revealed. 850 billion dollars will be cut from Medicaid transferring trillions of dollars from seniors, children, the poor, the disabled, the working class and the middle class to the 400 wealthiest families in the US. ADAPT protesters consisting of 41 Citizens with disabilities, staged a sit-in in front of Senator Mitch McConnell's office to confront power with the truth that quality, affordable Healthcare is not just for the privileged. We live in a democracy that is diverse in every way. Let's follow their lead: Stand for Freedom. Stand for Justice. Stand for Equality. Stand for the right of EVERY citizen to have quality, affordable healthcare. The survival of our country is based on these values. Also reported, Donald Trump has doubled his income to 191 million dollars on the backs of tax paying citizens, business conflicts of interests and Emoluments.

Open Letter
SECOND SENDING: June 27, 2017
June 17, 2017

Subject: Thirteen White Male Republican Senators and the Secret Health Care Bill they are afraid to share with the American people.

Dear Senator __________,

Thank you for your service. 

The headlines are screaming about the secret GOP Health Care Bill that 13 White Male Republican Senators have written in private because Republican Senators are afraid of backlash from a diverse population who will have to live with or barely survive the consequences. The attitude appears to be “We the People” being viewed as “You the Enemy” rather than as taxpaying citizens concerned for their and their family's well-being, for whom these senators work and from whom they receive their salaries. The Senators working on the Senate health care bill are: McConnell (Kentucky), Hatch (Utah), Alexander (Tennessee), Enzi (Wyoming), Thune (South Dakota), Cruz (Texas), Lee (Utah), Cotton (Arkansas ), Gardner (Colorado), Barrasso (Wyoming), Cornyn (Texas) and Portman (Ohio). 

This behavior could be considered as arrogant, cowardly, undemocratic and unethical.

My question to you as a Republican Senator is: With what in the above paragraph do you disagree as you contemplate voting “yes” or “no” for this secret health care bill?

I look forward to hearing from you soon. I will contact you again if I have not received a response.
Thank you.

Best Regards,
Doris Hale 
Policy and Disclaimer Statement
​www.MceZ.org

The MceZ Core Principle for August is INTEGRITY! 
 
Open Letter 
 
August 15, 2017 
 
Subject:  Thirteen White Male Republican Senators  and the Secret Health Care Bill they are afraid to share with the American people. 
 
Dear 
 
Thank you for your informative response of August 14, 2017, to my letter of June 17, 2017. As you have  indicated in your letter, this is too important to be a partisan bill. A well written healthcare bill requires a minimum of one year of public hearings and debate including discussion of a single-payer national healthcare system, Committee review and multi-partisan input.   Thank you, again, for your response and I look forward to contacting you in the future. 
 
Best regards, 
 
Eunice Beck 
Policy and Disclaimer Statement 
www.MceZ.org ​

​Thank you letter to Responders below:​
​Senator Debbie Stabenow (D), Senator Gary Peters (D), Representative Justin Amash (R)

The MCEZ Core Principle for DECEMBER is RESPECTFULNESS!

Please disregard the letter sent November 15, 2016 with the following Subject Line:
Subject: Donald Trump, president elect; not elected by Popular Vote; has no mandate; a threat to our Values and Democracy; Lawful Citizen Protests.
This letter replaces that letter. Thank you and my apologies for any inconvenience.
​
The MceZ Core Principle for November is PRIDE.
Open Letter
November 16, 2016

​Subject: Donald Trump, president elect; not elected by Popular Vote; has no mandate; a threat to our Values and Democracy; Lawful Citizen Protests.

Dear _______________,
As your constituent and a patriotic and concerned citizen, I am respectfully requesting that you disseminate this letter to all of your Senatorial colleagues.
As your constituent and a patriotic and concerned citizen, I am respectfully requesting that you disseminate this letter to all of your Congressional colleagues.
Thank you for your service.

I am writing this letter in support of the lawful protest rejecting Donald Trump as our next President due to the fact that he did not win the popular vote.

If the thinking is Donald Trump will change after he is sworn in as president or that he can be controlled or manipulated while possessing the full powers of the office, this is delusional and puts our country and democracy at grave risk and danger.

His relationship to Putin and Russia should make you, Congress, as nervous as the American people and cannot be ignored if you are a patriot, regardless of your party affiliation. Moreover, his refusal to transparency regarding his private business practices and tax returns is an effrontery to American taxpayers and our democracy.

The Constitution is powerful and has been been interpreted in many ways. A controversial interpretation of the constitution resulted in the Senate refusing to conduct hearings on the nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, to the Supreme Court.
What is clear and specific is that government exists for the benefit of the governed. Time is running out. Congress has the power to act now to avoid 4 years of court hearings (starting November 28, 2016), illegalities, opacity, unpredictability, distractions, drama, and undue stress and fear on American citizens.
I respectfully submit the following questions:
Whose responsibility is it to protect our values, our country and our democracy: the military, Congress, the or the American people?

Inasmuch as your salary is paid by American tax dollars, I am curious as to what is your salary?

If I have not heard back from you shortly, I will be writing you, again, Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Eunice Beck
Www,MceZ.org
Policy and Disclaimer Statement

Sen. Gary Peters (D), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D), Rep. Justin Amash (L), Rep. Dan Benishek, (D) Rep. Mike Bishop (R), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D), Rep. Bill Huizenga (R), Rep. Dan Kildee (D), Rep. Candice Miller (R), Rep. John Moolenaar (R) ​

The MceZ Core Principle for July is INNOVATION
Open Letter
Third Sending: July 29, 2016
Second Sending: July 21, 2016

The MceZ Core Principle for June is FREEDOM
Open letter
June 23, 2016

Subject: Gun Control Bills, NRA Political Contributions and Representative Democracy

Dear __________________,

On June 22 and 23, 2016, the House Democrats staged an unprecedented 25 hour Sit In to compel the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, to bring to the floor a vote on No Fly-No Buy and Expanded Background checks for gun purchases. One of the reasons given as to why Republicans do not want to vote on these bills is because they receive political contributions from the NRA. On June 23, the House adjourned for recess until July 6 without acting or voting on these bills.
Our question to you is:

​Do you receive political contributions from the NRA?If we have not received a response by June 30, we will contact you again. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

Best Regards,

Co-founders:
Eunice Beck
Doris Hale
Improving the Quality of the Debate
MiddleClassEmpowermentZone-www.MceZ.org

​Thank you letters sent to Elected Official Responders below:
Michigan Elected Officials: Governor Rick Snyder (R), Senator Geoff Hansen (R), Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) ​

Executive Office of the Governor
Robinson, Judy (GOV) Jan 8, 2016
Note: This letter was received in reply to
FOIA inquiry sent January 7, 2016.
​
Dear Eunice Beck,

Thank you for your recent correspondence sent to Governor Rick Snyder regarding the water
in Flint. As a member of Governor Snyder’s staff, I am responding on his behalf.
​
January 5, 2016 Governor Snyder declared a state of emergency for Genesee
County due to the ongoing health and safety issues caused by lead in the city of
Flint’s drinking water.

By declaring a state of emergency, Governor Snyder has made available all state resources
in cooperation with local response and recovery operations. The declaration authorizes the
Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division
(MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate state efforts.

“The health and welfare of Flint residents is a top priority and we’re committed to a
coordinated approach with resources from state agencies to address all aspects of this
situation,” Snyder said. “Working in full partnership with the Flint Water Advisory Task Force,
all levels of government and water quality experts, we will find both short-term and long-term
solutions to ensure the health and safety of Flint residents.”
In addition to the emergency declaration, the Governor activated the State Emergency
Operations Center to coordinate state response and recovery activities. State agencies will
report to the center to coordinate resources, assess the situation and begin providing assets
to assist with local relief operations.

“Our staff recognizes the urgency of this situation and is already working closely
with local officials,” said Captain Chris A. Kelenske, Deputy State Director of
Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the
MSP/EMHSD. “We will continue to collaborate with state, city and county leaders
to coordinate relief efforts, streamline communication and use all available
resources to help residents.”

On January 4, Genesee County declared a “local state of emergency,” which activated local
emergency response and recovery plans. By requesting a governor’s declaration, the county
has determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation and state assistance
is required to protect public health, safety and property to lessen or avert the threat of a crisis.

The city of Flint has been under a local emergency declaration since Dec. 14,2015. The SEOC is the emergency operations center for the state of Michigan. Located in Lansing, the center is overseen by the MSP/EMHSD and coordinates response and recovery efforts by state agencies and local government. The SEOC is staffed by members of state agencies and other partners for decision making and
information coordination during disasters or emergencies in the state of Michigan. MDHHS continues to provide free water filters and replacement cartridges to Flint residents at four locations, including the MDHHS Flint offices and the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department. For a full list of locations and hours of distribution, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.

Thank you, again, for taking the time to share your concerns with our office. Should you have
any further comments, questions or concerns regarding this or any other state-related matter,
I’ve included my contact information below.
​
Sincerely,
Judy Robinson
Constituent Relations Division
Executive Office of the Governor, Rick Snyder
517.335.7858 (o)

Open Letter to Governor Snyder re: FOIA

January 20, 2016 – Thank you for your attached letter of January 15, in response to our letter of
January 7, 2016. We will study your response and follow-up with you.
January 15, 2016

Dear Ms. Beck,

Thank you for your recent correspondence sent to the Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a member of Governor Snyder’s staff, I am responding on his behalf.

The Michigan Legislature enacted the Freedom of Information Act in 1976. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that gives citizens access to information from a “public body”. Under the Act, the Governor’s Office is excluded from that definition. Countless ideas are discussed in the brainstorming processes that never come to fruition. Many of the Governor’s constitutional responsibilities require some degree of confidentiality to discuss and form policies.

With that said, transparency is a top priority. Governor Snyder continues to reform state law with the goal of promoting greater transparency. The Governor has committed to holding state government accountable for dashboard metrics. Michigan’s dashboards were implemented by Governor Snyder to provide a quick assessment of the state’s performance in key areas including: economic strength; health and education; value for money government; quality of life; and public safety.

Thank you again for taking the time to write. Please do not hesitate to contact Governor Snyder's office in the future regarding this or any other state related matter.

Sincerely,
Laura Stoken
Manager, Constituent Relations
Executive Office of the Governor, Rick Snyder
517.335.7858
***************************************************************************
January 18, 2016 – Third sending. Please see text below. If we don't hear from you, we will follow up in a week to 10 days.
January 11, 2016- Second Sending.
Although our attached letter of January 7 did not specifically request an update on the Flint Water Disaster, we appreciate the information from your office on January 8:...and from the Flint Water Response Team on January 10 and 11.
In case the information requested is not immediately available, we plan to follow up in a week to 10 days. We look forward to hearing from you.
***************************************************************************
Executive Office of the Governor
Robinson, Judy (GOV) Jan 8, 2016

Dear Eunice Beck,
Thank you for your recent correspondence sent to Governor Rick Snyder regarding the water in Flint. As a
member of Governor Snyder’s staff, I am responding on his behalf.

January 5, 2016 Governor Snyder declared a state of emergency for Genesee County due to the
ongoing health and safety issues caused by lead in the city of Flint’s drinking water.
By declaring a state of emergency, Governor Snyder has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery operations. The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate state efforts.
“The health and welfare of Flint residents is a top priority and we’re committed to a coordinated approach with resources from state agencies to address all aspects of this situation,”Snyder said. “Working in full partnership with the Flint Water Advisory Task Force, all levels of government and water quality experts, we will find both short-term and long-term solutions to ensure the health and safety of Flint residents.”
In addition to the emergency declaration, the Governor activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate state response and recovery activities. State agencies will report to the center to coordinate
resources, assess the situation and begin providing assets to assist with local relief operations.
“Our staff recognizes the urgency of this situation and is already working closely with local officials,”
said Captain Chris A. Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland
Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “We will continue to collaborate with state, city and
county leaders to coordinate relief efforts, streamline communication and use all available resources
to help residents.”

On January 4, Genesee County declared a “local state of emergency,” which activated local emergency response and recovery plans. By requesting a governor’s declaration, the county has determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation and state assistance is required to protect public health, safety and property to lessen or avert the threat of a crisis. The city of Flint has been under a local emergency declaration since Dec. 14,2015.

The SEOC is the emergency operations center for the state of Michigan. Located in Lansing, the
center is overseen by the MSP/EMHSD and coordinates response and recovery efforts by state
agencies and local government. The SEOC is staffed by members of state agencies and other
partners for decision making and information coordination during disasters or emergencies in the
state of Michigan.

MDHHS continues to provide free water filters and replacement cartridges to Flint residents at four
locations, including the MDHHS Flint offices and the Genesee County Community Action Resource
Department. For a full list of locations and hours of distribution, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.
Thank you, again, for taking the time to share your concerns with our office. Should you have any further
comments, questions or concerns regarding this or any other state-related matter, I’ve included my contact
information below.

Sincerely, Judy Robinson,Constituent Relations Division,Executive Office of the Governor, Rick Snyder,517.335.7858 (o)
*****************************************************************************************
Note: This letter was received in reply to
FOIA Inquiry sent January 7, 2016

The Mcez.org core principle for the month of January is Citizenship.

January 7, 2016

Dear Governor Snyder: 

As you know, Michigan received an F rating by the Center for Public Integrity, and is rated last of all the fifty states regarding governmental transparency. 

It has come to our attention in light of the Flint water disaster, that the state of Michigan governor’s office is the only governor’s office that is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).We would like to suggest that this is one of the main factors for this failed rating.
We are interested in learning the history behind this exemption, specifically: (1) Is this a law or policy? (2) When was it implemented? (3) Who has the power to rescind this law or policy? In addition, (4) we would like to know your position on the governor's office exemption from the FOIA.
If this information can be accessed on-line, please direct us to that location. We look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,
Co-founders,
Eunice Beck
Doris Hale
MiddleClassEmpowermentZone.org
*********************************************************************************
Open Letter to Governor Snyder re: FOIA Exemption

January 18, 2016 – Third Sending. Please see text below.If we don't hear from you, we will follow up in a week to 10 days.

January 11, 2016- Second Sending. Although our attached letter of January 7 did not specifically request an update on the Flint Water Disaster, we appreciate the information from your office on January 8 and from the Flint Water Response Team on January 10 and 11.
In case the information requested is not immediately available, we plan to follow up in a week to 10 days. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Mcez.org core principle for the month of January is Citizenship.
January 7, 2016

Dear Governor Snyder:

As you know, Michigan received an F rating by the Center for Public Integrity, and is rated last of all the fifty states regarding governmental transparency. It has come to our attention in light of the Flint water disaster, that the state of Michigan governor’s office is the only governor’s office that is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).We would like to suggest that this is one of the main factors for this failed rating.
We are interested in learning the history behind this exemption, specifically: (1) Is this a law or policy?
(2) When was it implemented? (3) Who has the power to rescind this law or policy? In addition, (4) We would like to know your position on the governor's office exemption from the FOIA.
If this information can be accessed on-line, please direct us to that location. We look forward to hearing from you.
​
Best Regards,
Co-founders,
Eunice Beck
Doris Hale
MiddleClassEmpowermentZone.org

​Original Letter
The MceZ Core Principle for September is INTEGRITY!
Open Letter 
September 1, 2015 
Subject: Defunding Planned Parenthood and Government Shutdown 

Dear Senator/Representative____________,

Are you in favor of shutting down the government over defunding Planned Parenthood?
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Eunice Beck
MceZ.org
​MceZ Policy and Disclaimer Statement

9-4-15
Dear Senator Stebenow:
Thank you for your recent letter regarding your decision to support the Iran Nuclear Agreement. I believe that supporting this agreement is an important step toward moving forward in keeping the door open for continuing negotiations on other issues with Iran. As with any compromise, no one walks away completely satisfied, so the best deal is negotiated to obtain the primary objectives. Foreign Policy issues are an important agenda item; however, it should not serve as a distraction from pressing domestic issues which the citizenry will be focused on in the 2016 election. It's time for the U.S. to apply its energies and resources to improving the quality of life for the Middle Class (M.C.) and those Striving to Enter the Middle Class (S.T.E.M.s) including climate change, comprehensive immigration reform, voting rights, infrastructure, public safety, wage equality, education, financial protection and housing. Your record has shown that you are mindful of the plight of the Middle Class and those striving to enter. I appreciate your support and your work on behalf of the State of Michigan and the M.C. and S.T.E.M.s. I look forward to contacting you in the future as a private citizen and a co-founder of MceZ.org. Thank you.
​
Sincerely, 
Eunice Beck, Co-founder
MiddleClassEmpowermentZone (MceZ.org)