Everyone loves her (him) some Russ, but yesterday's blast from Feingold about ""empowering the people"" is enough. Or more than enough.
I wasn't super happy about Blagoburrisbrand and all, but it seems there are even more pressing matters than 17th Amendment reform...especially since the Fein senator didn't even bother to do something really important like officially censuring Bush or Cheney before they left office, say. (Will there be prosecutions? Don't bet your mortgage on it.)
Or, if Russ must have his way, let the "popular election of replacement Senators" be just the tip of a good iceberg, e.g., the far more significant/needed electoral reform of abolishing the Electoral College. (Yes, I know that reform is not politically easy, but it's still far more crucial than the replacement-Senator stuff.)
(much more)
Or as musing85's diary Change we shouldn't believe in brutally but "nicely" puts it,
I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone tried to make a little political hay out of the political mess that is Illinois politics right now. ...
I am not impressed by what Russ is doing, especially at this busy juncture with stimulus, Afghanistan, tailpipe emissions, torture, etc. all on the table. ...If he thinks this waste of time will help him replace Reid as Senate Maj Leader, he might wanna think again.
Or if he HAS to pull this stunt, let him make it clear that it is only as a preliminary to the much more vital work of getting rid of the Electoral College. Now THAT would be "necessary electoral reform", and "empowering" ALL the American people.
But don't just think about the issue, do let him know; you can mail Russ's chief of staff Mary Irvine at Mary_Irvine@Feingold.senate.gov, with this (adaptable sample) script:
[e-mail subject line: "Axe Electoral College, not 17th Amendment"]
Dear Russ Feingold:
Instead of wasting time with "17th Amendment reform" as in your Daily Kos diary, please concentrate on more important issues such as abolishing the Electoral College and achieving direct election of Presidents; not to mention accountability for government torture/illegal wiretapping, and other truly crucial issues.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
[your name]
Or phone him too, at (202) 224-5323.
Russ is a good guy on the whole, but he is a politician and a human being, subject to error etc. Feel free to guide him in a better path than the one he is cutting right now. Thanks.