The date 10/1/2006. This was not a form letter as so many I have recieved from our Congressmen. This was an e-mail from Senator Durbin. I now have a new found respect for the man. It took two weeks, but at least he took the time from his busy schedule to sit down and type this. I admire him for that. He took the time to correspond with a "common citizen".

He wrote, and I quote:

Dear Mr. Kirgan: Thank you for your recent message. I understand that you disagree with many of the positions I have on different issues facing our nation. When I agreed with Bush's policies I have not hesitated to say so, just as I have expressed my disagreement on many occasions when my views have differed from those of the President. Honest disagreement is an important part of our democratic form of government.

Our nation has a long history of outspoken disagreement among our political leaders, even during war time. For instance, then Congressman Abe Lincoln was strongly critical of President James Polk for leading the US into the Mexican-American War, even introducing legislation before the war ended to question Polk's claim that had initiated the conflict. I assure you I am committed to protecting US national interests at home and abroad, as are my colleagues, regardless of party. Our democracy has proven that it is strong to thrive even while thoughtful people debate issues affecting our national security, and that even disagreemnet can be a sign of committment to a nation and the men and women who defend it. Sincerely, Richard J. Durbin." He adds a PS: "If you're ever in Washington, please feel free to join Senator Obama and me at our weekly constituents coffee. When the Senate is coming together, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30. You can hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and responces to your ideas. We would welcome your participation. Please call my D.C. office for more details." Then he gave me his phone number.

The following was my reply To Senator Durbin's e-mail:

Senator Durbin,
I meant no disrespect. I just think it's time to drop the "D's" and "R's" and find a solution to the "tsunami" of ILLEGAL immigration from all over the world to America. I have no problem with LEGAL immigration. A blanket amnesty program is not what a vast number of Americans want. I can't speak to the number because I haven't spoken to all 300 million Americans and I don't put much stock in mundane polls. Enforcement of current laws would be a start. But I'm of the opinion that it is too late for that. The great state of Nevada took it upon itself to "address the problem", Texas found a way to deal with it with their own money, and a Arizona sheriff has his own methods while Congress "drags it feet". The Government is supposed to be of the people, for the people, and by the people. Instead, it's become "what special interest group is going to help me get elected and how do I pay them back" type of government. I am an American citizen, a Viet Nam War vet, and a realist. I'm neither a Republican, Democrat, nor Independent. I can see what's going on by myself. I analyze politics and the news, listen to both sides, and then make my decision based on my education, common sense, and logic. I write columns on various subjects trying to get people to think for themselves and get involved.

It looks like the two parties are in a "civil war". Verbal salvos after verbal salvos after verbal salvos are rained down from both sides of the aisle. Then meaningless poles are used to try to make the American public think We, the People are divided, when it's you guys who are divided. The Democrats say,"We're going to take back control of the senate and the house", like it was a football, and the Republicans say, "We may lose a few seats but we'll retain control of the senate", like it's a game of Stratego. It's not how many games you play from day to night to day. It's how you have to face the end when there's no more games to play.

We live in tumultuous times senator, as you are well aware of. The "civil war" between the Dems. and Reps. dosen't make anything better. It makes the US look like "The Divided States of America" instead of the great United States of America, that I was born in and represented in the Viet Nam War.

Where's all the unity that appeared after 9/11? Flags on every auto. Flags on every building. Pets being dressed in red, white, and blue? The men fighting in Iraq and elsewhere are the true "experts". Not John Kerry. Not Edward (Ted) Kennedy. Not John Murtha. Not you. Surely, not Arlen Spectar, or the rest of your ilk. What's it going to take for you guys to get united again? A small mushroom cloud in Virginia? A biological event in Washington? History not only repeats itself, sometimes it hollers out loudly. History has shown that all great civilations have met their demise through their own negligence. We can't let that happen to us.

Respectfully, John H. Kirgan, IV, a concerned citizen