Weekly Letter

To make things more fun (if that's possible), I have decided every week I am going to write a letter either in support or opposition of/to a bill in the Senate. Then I am going to snail mail Jimbo and Mitchy Mitch a copy. I will also post a copy here, and I will scan their replies (if given).

Here's #1

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I write you in support of S. RES. 293, a bill intended to support the conduction of a free and fair presidential election in the nation of Kazakhstan. I am writing in support of this bill because not only do I support the proliferation of democracy, but it is also in the interest of the United States to support democracy in the Central Asian Republics for many reasons. In this letter, I shall document my reasons for supporting democracy in Kazakhstan.

I) Kazakhstan has major deposits of many strategic resources. In addition to its cache of strategic energy resources (petroleum, natural gas and coal), Kazakhstan has substantial amounts of other resources such as gold and uranium. Ensuring the political stability of the Kazakh state will prevent misuse of these resources, which could lead to both economic and national catastrophe.
II) The recent opening of the Caspian Consortium opened the Tengiz oilfield’s resources to the world via a pipeline to the Caspian Sea. The introduction of Kazakh oil into the world market will increase the global economic clout of the Kazakh state.
III) Aside from Russia, Kazakhstan is the largest of the former Soviet Republics. It is a chief agricultural producer in Central Asia, and, thus it provides foodstuffs for surrounding states with little arable land.
IV) The international implications of an increasingly democratic Kazakhstan would likely involve the democratization of surrounding nations (including Russia.)
V) Executive power in Kazakhstan (like Russia) has very few checks. Democratizing the position would allow for, in the least, a powerful executive that somewhat conveyed the will of the people.
VI) Lastly, although Kazakhstan has strong cultural ties to Russia, its border with China is also of strategic importance.

I thank you for your time and urge you to support this bill. As a student at the University of Louisville, I have learned the importance of international affairs and the proliferation of democracy. The election is scheduled for December 4th.

Kind regards,




Alex M. Huffman