As a resident of San Francisco, I feel it is my duty to speak out loudly for leadership in the House. Below the fold is a letter I sent to Speaker Pelosi today. I encourage any other kossacks who live in this district to do the same. In San Francisco, change happens, happens frequently, and "liberality" is synonymous with electability. I am sure Ms. Pelosi understands this, so WRITE WRITE WRITE! For residents, the site is: http://www.house.gov/... and for non-constutuents, the site is: www.speaker.gov
Speaker Pelosi,
I have consistently voted for you as long as I have lived in San Francisco, believing you to accurately speak for myself and my fellow residents. I was honored and delighted when you became the first female Speaker of the House, believing this an opportunity for our voices to be heard inside the beltway, and a way for Congress to finally hold this President responsible for his gross abuse of power and violations of our Constitutional Rights. Recent actions in The House of Representatives, under your leadership, have made me begin to question if I will continue this support. In particular, I am referring to the recent authorization of President Bush's wiretapping powers, and today's NY Times piece indicating the continued support by this Congress for these Fourth Amendment violations. I realize that the House version presents more safeguards on how this information is collected, and attempts to hold the telecoms responsible for thier recent illegal actions; however, this is far from a restoration of our Constutional right to privacy and protection from illegal search and seizure. As Speaker, you are a in a unique, and powerful position to hold this Administration accountable, and to ensure these abuses cease. Entrusting this, or any other administration with the power to secretly spy on its citizens is simply unacceptable. People do not relinquish power easily, and each and every leader believes thier vision to be virtuous; therefore, no one man, or faction should or can be trusted to use such powers judiciously or without malice--least of all Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney. Our Constitutional Rights are the fabric which binds us, and are directly responsible for our Republic's success. These rights are absolute; without them we are nothing; therefore nothing is more worth fighting for.
You are these checks and balances Speaker Pelosi, you are the only line of defense remaining for We The People. Please fulfill promises you made to Us, and wield the power We have granted you to speak on Our behalf. You are the safest seat in Congress; and even if you were not, speaking on behalf of those who elected you on this issue is now speaking on behalf of a majority of the American People, and the silent majority of future generations whose Rights will be dimished. If you, and the Representatives you lead in Congress, are unable to protect Our Constitutional Rights, there can be no other choice but to seek out and elect Representatives who will.
Sincerely,
Thomas