To Representative Carter, Senators Ossoff and Warnock:
As duly elected members of Congress representing the voters of Georgia, you took an oath of office. That oath states “… I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”.
The roles and duties of Members of Congress are (but not limited to) representation, legislation, and oversight and investigation.
Representing the will of constituents of Georgia, you introduced and supported legislation renaming the Hinesville Ga VA Clinic, PL 118-61.
Even before this legislation was introduced, Charleston VA Leadership (CVAL) adamantly opposed this legislation, ignorantly believing the memorial renaming of the Charleston VA Medical Center to Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center (RHJ) carried over to the Hinesville Clinic. Not true according to Federal Statute 38 USC 531. They were enlightened but refused to accept established law.
Not to be rebuffed, CVAl knowingly violated VA Policy by altering the Presidential Photo display, adding an oversized portrait of RHJ in front of POTUS.
This violation was challenged by veterans requesting assistance from your offices. By taking no action, you violated your Oath.
Constituents, unassisted by you, contacted the VA to ensure the violation was addressed and corrected.
The VA Central Office recognized this blunder and demanded corrective actions.
Wrongdoing rectified.
While their deceitful actions were being spurned yet again, CVAL escalated their offenses. When they modified the exterior identifying signage at the Clinic to spotlight RHJ, dismissing the intent of Congress, they violated federal statutes to wit: 38 USC 531, 31 USC 1301, 31 USC 1341.
Your office has repeatedly been asked for assistance to correct these illegal, disgraceful, disrespectful violations (cost to taxpayers $200,000+) even suggesting referral to Congressional OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATION.
This duty sworn to, you did not honor.
John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley swore an oath AND “…Gave Their All” to honor that Oath.
Respectfully request if you are going to hold the office, fulfill ALL the duties you swear to, don’t just pick and choose.
Bruce A McCartney, SFC, USA (Ret-Ch61) RVN 7/68 – 7/72 DUSTOFF Medic Combat Medic Midway, Georgia --
To Rep. Carter:
I firmly believe that the unjustified dismantling of federal agencies, including programs vital to the health and well-being of coastal Georgians, is both reckless and unconstitutional. Most objectionable is that these actions are motivated by Republican efforts to compensate for some $4.5 trillion required to cover tax breaks benefitting the extremely wealthy. These cynical budget manipulations will deprive the vast majority of Americans of needed federal agency services, just to further enrich billionaires.
Dismantling federal agency services will neglectfully worsen harms to public health and safety, including exposure to toxic pollution and the destructive impacts of flooding, drought, and wildfire, which are intensified by irresponsibly discrediting climate change and defunding actions authorized to curb it. I join millions of other American citizens in adamantly objecting to the corrupt use of my taxes to compensate for trillions of dollars in tax breaks of the ultra-rich, while cutting federal support for essential public services – being done without any credible auditing procedures.
By supporting these destructive federal agency cutbacks and approving tax breaks for billionaires, you are violating your oath of office. Concerned Georgians should contact Buddy Carter and other members of Congress to insist that they honor their obligation to serve legitimate constituent priorities.
David Kyler, Center for a Sustainable Coast, St. Simons’ Island, Georgia