Dear Senator, They Tried to Kill Our Dog

Dear Senator McCain,

This is my second letter to your office this week. I am writing you today to make sure you are aware of how drug smugglers invade the homes of everyday families like mine here on the border of Arizona. Sadly, drug trafficking is not uncommon within my community but it has become one of Arizona's dirty little secrets. It is my goal to open the eyes of good, kind, hard working Americans who oppose certain views and might not understand legitimate concerns and issues pertaining to illegal immigration and border security. I have confidence that you, Senator McCain will continue to do the same.   

We were able to buy our very first home in a quiet little sub division. My neighbors, as well as my husband and I work hard, pay our taxes, mow the front lawn on Saturday mornings and always take our trash cans in from the curb on pick-up day. Our community is a typical friendly, everyday American neighborhood. We bring in the mail for the family next door on vacation, patch up each others children while wiping tears and skinned knees, and wave at passing mini-vans and SUVs as we catch up with one another in the driveway after work. So, I'm sure you can imagine our shock when we learned a few months ago that our back yard was being used to move dope loads to a near by stash house just a few hundred yards away from where our children play.

I am thankful for the kind hard working neighbors on my street and believe that they have the same respect for me and my family as I have for them. However, there are a few homes just outside our little sub-division with darkened windows, visitors in and out at all hours of the night and notices posted at every corner warning trespassers that they will be shot. We all have our assumptions, a few accusations and recently learned that not even the Border Patrol or Sheriff's office is allowed to investigate what goes on inside these questionable homes.

Two weeks ago our oldest son found the most lovable dog making her rounds through the neighborhood looking to fill her stomach. She gladly excepted our son's offering of a cool drink of water from the garden hose and the green beans from last nights dinner served on my good wedding china. Apparently, he made a good impression because Bella (Bella The Wonder Dog as she is now called) slept on the front porch for two days until we finally let her inside and welcomed her into the family. We thought this was God's way of giving us a solution to our unwanted, late night, backyard visitors. A dog in the back yard would surely bark at a stranger scaling an 8 foot cinder block fence, right? Bella fit quickly into the fabric of our little family and more than earned her keep each night as she patrolled the back yard, trying her best to keep our babies safe as they slept each night. About a week ago we noticed Bella's food dish untouched and a pair of blood shot eyes staring out at us from the back our her new homemade dog house. Our new little pup refused any offers to play or run with the neighborhood kids. Three days passed and still no change so, my husband loaded Bella up in the family car, checkbook in hand and made his way to the vet. The vet, concerned and bewildered suggested that we take Bella home with a can of chicken noodle soup and hope for the best.

It isn't uncommon in our neighborhood for trash to pile up on our street discarded by weary travelers who have hiked across the dessert from Mexico in hopes of a new life. Water bottles, plastic grocery bags and even dirty clothes are collected by my neighbors and deposited into their trash cans each day. Recently, empty antifreeze containers, plastic milk jugs smelling of gasoline and tiny shards of glass have been found in the vacant lot next to our home. Apparently our 5 month old furry little pup was too much for said drug traffickers to contend with. Poisoning her was a better option than finding another rout for their merchandise and leaving our family in peace. Luckily, Bella is eating again thanks to the prayers of one heartbroken little boy. Our son spoon fed Bella chicken noodle soup in between school lessons and daily chores, each time asking God to spare her life. Our diligent little one doesn't complain about picking up poop in the yard or spilling dog water on his sneakers anymore.   

My question for you today, Senator McCain is: What are we suppose to do next? We are unwilling risk the education of our children by enrolling them in public school here and now we can't even protect our home, our property and most importantly OUR CHILDREN by reasonable means. This is still America, right? This problem is literally in our back yard! Thousands of dollars in illegal drugs are being passed underneath the windows of the bedrooms where my children sleep. We are not the only family tackling this issue, Senator McCain. Some have accepted it as just a way of life down here on the border of Arizona. I refuse! This is still the United States of America and I WILL NOT leave a light on for my friendly neighborhood drug trafficker! Please send help. We're being invaded.

This is Just the Beginning...

Dear Senator McCain,
I am a mother to three young children, devoted wife, and registered Democrat. On Tuesday November 2, 2010 however, I voted for you, a Republican. I voted for you and many of your supported candidates because I believe you are the only ones that can help our family. My husband and I live on the border of Arizona just 500 yards from Mexico. Being a native Oregonian, moving this close to the border was a culture shock but a valuable learning experience nonetheless. As parents it is our responsibility to teach our children the value of community, to become productive citizens and the value of good character. Education is key in our family. My husband comes from a small rural farming community in Arkansas and was one of the first members in his family to graduate from high school in almost four generations. He served proudly in the United States Marine Corps and put himself through college. My husband, along w/ other family members have forever changed their family tree. I'm extremely grateful and proud of him.  Together we realize what a great responsibility we have been given in directing and educating our children. One of the many things we feel is important in their upbringing is a public school education, however, we feel this simple fact is impossible to achieve here on the border of Arizona. 


Our public schools are over run with Mexico's students who cross the border each day to attend our public elementary, middle and high schools. They are able to use relatives addresses, vacant hotel addresses or in many cases fraudulent utility bills to prove residency and gain admission. Students who cross the border each day speak little to no English. The teachers here are dedicated but spend the majority of their time w/ non-English speaking students therefor leaving everyone else behind. The children left behind (who do speak English) account for about 15% of the student population. However, it is the parents of these 15% who are tax payers footing the bill for Mexico. Lessons in out public schools are often taught in a combination of English and Spanish. This could be beneficial for some students but can be an extremely frustrating learning environment for most. My husband and I have chosen to home school our student in hopes of giving him the start he needs for a successful school career. We are thankful for a tuition free online charter school however, our son, misses having daily contact with other children his age. 


We are blessed, I am able to oversee our child's education full-time as a stay-at-home-mom. We would like our children to attend public school but refuse to risk it. Please know that I am not demanding a solution TODAY. I realize problems like these are not solved over night. Instead, I am offering my commitment and help and asking (begging and pleading!) "What can I do?" How can I get my community involved and aware of the situation? How can I change things? I am willing, ready and able to jump in and throw my support where needed. Will this specific public school issue be on your agenda? We are doing our children here on the border a dis-service by depriving them of an education because we continue to support Mexico and their failing economy. Please, help us fight for the education that all US children need and deserve!