Sent to Senator Allen this morning:
It was with a heavy heart that I read the news of the deal ending the fight over filibusters, for a number of reasons:
1. President Bush has laid out an aggressive, broad agenda that begins to meet the challenges of our nation. Recent polls reflect citizens' disappointment, on both sides of the aisle, in acting at all. The deepest reservations though, must be reserved for Republicans, who it seems since 1994 have promised much but never seem to deliver. This interminable haggling over judges is just one more brick in the wall blocking advancement.
2. Even considering education reform, which on its present course is threatening to economically consume all of us even in its socially misguided decline, electing intelligent, fair, conservative judges must remain the single most important activity this government can perform. The Democrats seem to understand this; why not the Republicans? Do we not truly believe our own rhetoric? McCain must be off his rocker. He may be a great American, but he’s a terrible Republican.
3. As I see it, we've gained 3 judges we would have gained had the rule been changed, lost 2 we would have otherwise gained, and the filibuster lives on to be invoked again. After all these months of waiting, it is difficult for interested onlookers like me to see how we ‘won.’
4. With the war time world canvas providing an especially urgent backdrop to this Congress, we find backroom dealings even while we endlessly debate without seeming to get at the heart of the issues. Graham’s pandering to “…kids dying…” is disgusting in this milieu. Certainly our soldiers are dying for freedom and democracy, but they are not dying to have Meyer and Saad never have a vote. Compromise is the worst of politics, not the best.
5. The ‘deal’ preserves obstructionist Senate politics, and nothing more. It merely delays the showdown that must come as Democrats move more sharply left, and Republicans attempt to undo the judicial and cultural and economic blunders of the past. Unfortunately in the name of ‘bipartisanship,’ the generals have already sacrificed two of our best soldiers before we even enjoin the fight.
Senator Allen, I know you have been an aggressive and tireless fighter on this front. It is with leadership like yours that many of us remain encouraged. Make us proud. We have much to do, and many of us support the ideas upon which this administration was elected.
Please don’t allow this Congress to forget why we elected them with so much emotion. Compromise with a party moving left, moves the center.
Thank you for your time.
Good letter. Count me amoung those who favor George Allen in '8.