From: Paul Perkins 
Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2003 11:55 AM
To: 'senator@levin.senate.gov'
Subject: Thank you
Dear Senator Levin,
 
I watched your appearance on the Fox News Sunday program. I want to thank you for speaking up for those of your constituents who have the views you have professed. Throughout history war has always been the easy road to take. I appreciate your willingness to not back down on such an important issue. History has shown that war is never the best way to deal with conflicts. It is often stated that we need to show our strength and resolve. Well it takes a stronger person and country to deal with issues without going to war than one that does go to war. I've learned that in order to become great at anything in life you need to follow seven ways, or principles:
 
1) Find a good teacher
2) Have patience
3) Have perseverance
4) Work hard
5) Practice exactly what you want to perform
6) Meditate (Pray)
7) Have a passion and love for what you are doing.
 
I have to say that all the great teachers throughout history have taught peace not war. The U.S. is a very impatience country, we are so used to instant gratification, fast food, microwave ovens, and jet planes. We in the U.S. have no clue what it means to persevere in comparison to other countries who deal with war, suffering and death every day.
We in America are always trying to get by with the least amount of work as possible. If we want to have a world of peace then going to war is definitely not practicing what we want to perform. We need to take our problems to the Highest Authority that exists, through meditation and prayer. And we need to be so passionate about what our constitution and country stands for that we don't let fear of our safety control us into giving up our liberties.
 
I encourage you to continue speaking for those of us who know that this is not a matter of politics but a greater calling. The issues that are in front of use go way beyond whether we should go to war or not. Going to war with Iraq is only one piece of the equation that will set a precedence that could ultimately destroy the very fabric of the United States, allowing it to be divided too such a state that it no longer will be "One Nation Under God." But rather one nation under an individual dictator.
 
If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator,"
 --George W. Bush, Washington DC, Dec 18, 2000, during his first trip to Washington as President-Elect
(Taken from CNN website http://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/12/18/bush.wrap/)
 
Again thank you for standing up and speaking for those of your constituents who have the views you have professed.
 
"If the representatives of the people betray there constituents, then there is no recourse left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all forms of government" --Alexander Hamilton
 
"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters , but they mean to be masters." --Daniel Webster
 
Best regards
 
Paul Perkins