I am a committed and loyal Democrat, I cannot for the life of me figure out why a Democratic representative would support HR 6166.
Why would you support a law that would, in effect, give the President the right to declare me an enemy combatant, hold me indefinitely without charging me, and then subject me to whatever interrogation techniques he desires, as long as he believes the technique is not torture, even though according to the Geneva Conventions, the technique would be classified as torture?
Not only can he do this to me, an American citizen. He can also do this to anyone in the world. What must the world think of us? We can't fight terrorists without betraying our ideals? If we can't, haven't the terrorists already won?
I want a Democratic Congress as much as the next person, but aren't some values non-negotiable?
Aren't some things worth risking your Congressional seat for?
Is it that difficult to defend your support of the writ of habeas corpus and your opposition to torture against a radical Republican like David McSweeney?
Why be a representative if you can't stand up for the Constitution?
I'm tired of Democrats who run scared everytime Karl Rove says, "Boo!"
Why should I vote for you after you vote the same way that David McSweeney would on a bill as un-American as HR 6166?
It is a dark day for our country. I don't think I've ever been this discouraged. We've faced European fascism and Soviet communism without betraying the foundations of our democracy. Yet the terrorists go "Boo!", Karl Rove goes "Boo!", and representatives of what is supposed to be an opposition party, willingly surrender our liberties to the President, a President who's had a sub-40% approval rating for longer than any President, other than maybe Richard Nixon.
It's despicable and cowardly. No wonder Americans won't support Democrats. They can't be counted on to oppose. They cower in fear of an unpopular President.
I wonder if you heard what the President said today:
"Democrats offer nothing but criticism and obstruction and endless second-guessing."
"The party of FDR and the party of Harry Truman has become the party of cut and run."
Congratulations. You supported President Bush's bill and he's still calling you and your fellow Democrats names. Did you really think that if you voted for Bush's bill, all of the sudden the political attacks would stop?
When will Democrats learn? The party of FDR and Harry Truman never would have supported HR 6166. They would have called this bill exactly what it is, un-American.
Supporters of the Democratic party are craving leadership that will stand up to an incompetent President and rubber stamp Republican Congress, and so are the American people.
See any Democrats around that fit that description? I see a few, including our senators from Illinois and many in the Illinois Congressional delegation, but not enough. I'm not sure if I see any in the Illinois 8th Congressional District race.
I see 2 candidates that would not support the writ of habeas corpus, while supporting the right of the President to determine exactly what torture is, instead of letting it be defined by the Geneva Conventions.
Believe me, I'm going to have a difficult time voting for you on November 7th.
The Constitution is all that stands between liberty and tyranny. Torture is not an American value. If I wanted a representative that would support HR 6166 and be rubber stamp for President Bush, I would have voted for Phil Crane in 2004.
Sincerely,
st3veh
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