I try to call at least one member of Congress every week, usually to complain about something. I generally write less often, but this coming week, I am going to write some letters. For every letter or postcard that I write, I try to have a hook. This time, the hook will be values.
Although the religious right co-opted the phrase "values voter", they don't own it. I want to let several (hundred) legislators know that I have been evaluating the values upheld (or not) by their voting record. This is what I'm sending to all the Republicans and bad Democrats in the House and Senate (whew, that's a lot of postage!):
Dear (legislator),
Your recent votes in the (Senate/House) have been deeply troubling, and suggest that you have lost the moral compass that must have guided you in the past. You campaigned on honesty, decency, and genuine patriotism, but I am sorry to say that your votes suggest that your values have changed.
Dear (legislator),
Your recent votes in the (Senate/House) have been deeply troubling, and suggest that you have lost the moral compass that must have guided you in the past. You campaigned on honesty, decency, and genuine patriotism, but I am sorry to say that your votes suggest that your values have changed.
You voted against SCHIP.
It is indecent to deny medical treatment to poor children.
You voted to allow warrentless wiretapping of American citizens.
It is immoral to spy on Americans instead of protecting our soldiers and the Constitution.
You voted against increasing the security of our ports.
It is not patriotic to put business interests above the safety of America.
You voted not to safely redeploy US troops from Iraq to Afghanistan.
It is immoral and anti-American to prevent our troops from fighting our enemies.
You have repeatedly voted to fund the war in Iraq.
It is immoral to allow troops to continue dying for a mistake.
I sincerely hope that you find the courage to turn back from the path you've chosen, before anymore damage is done to our country, our military, and our Constitution.
Sincerely,
(mffarrow)
Why this hook? I believe it is a great way of communicating with legistators in a language they can understand, especially the Republicans and Bush Dog Democrats that otherwise would toss out my letters.
I like this approach because it lets them know that someone is paying attenion to their voting history, and (2) explains why their voting record is not consistent with any decency.
And everyone likes to be told when they do well, so here's a letter to the (sadly, few) Democratic legislators that have done a good job:
Dear (legislator),
Your recent votes in the (Senate/House) have been inspiring, and suggest that you truly have a moral compass that is lacking in many of you colleagues. I am a values voter, and I admire the bravery, decency, and genuine patriotism that your votes have indicated.
You voted for SCHIP.
To ensure medical treatment for poor children is a democratic and American value.
You voted not to allow warrentless wiretapping of American citizens.
To protect our Constitution should be the first duty of every American, but especially of our elected leaders.
You voted to safely redeploy US troops from Iraq to Afghanistan.
It admirable and just that you should want our troops to fight our real enemies.
You have repeatedly voted not to fund the war in Iraq.
It is extremely brave to protect our troops in such a toxic climate of government-sanctioned fear-mongering.
I can only hope that your colleagues find the strength to follow your excellent moral leadership, and heal the damage that is being done to our country, our military, and our Constitution.
Sincerely,
(mffarrow)
Don't get me wrong. I don't think that these letters by themselves will change anyone's mind. But I hope that maybe it will shore up the often shaky support for progressive policies among the Dems, and spook the Repubs about their poor choices.
I expect to tailor each letter somewhat to each indivdual Senator or Congressman. If anyone wants to plagarise these letters, feel free. Just don't forget to check the voting record before mailing.
As you can probably guess, I am most upset about the uselessness of supporting the Iraq war, and the erosion of civil liberties. What about you?