Pollywogs!

In reference to this: http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2010/02/25/patriot-act-without-reforms-passes-house-roll-call-included/

—

I am writing to request you explain why you voted to extend the Patriot Act in light of the widespread violations of constitutional rights that took place under it, and the abuses of the powers it granted.

Please save me any song and dance routine with regards to national security.  I’ve read the party line:

“In the end, it became non-controversial,” Senate Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) told POLITICO. “[There was] the growing concern about increase on the pace of attacks on the homeland… and frankly, I think the Patriot [Act] got a bad name under the Bush Administration.”

“Increase on the pace of attacks on the homeland”?  The Sender Gleiwitz? The Reichstag?  The Shoe Bomber?  The Underwear Bomber?  Pathetic.

I guess I’m writing mainly to express frustration with the horribly travesties carried out against the US citizenry in our recent history, between our soldiers being used to create banana republics in the Middle East (Halliburton this time instead of Dole), our taxes being used to line the pockets of the ultra-rich (Geither making sure his Goldman buddies make out literally like bandits being simply the latest installment), our civil liberties being trodden upon (the FBI issuing NSL AFTER a FISA court denied them)…and don’t get me started on this farcical attempt at health care reform, with the talking points being it is impossible for the government to run health care, pretending the US public has no knowledge of any country outside of our own borders…

I guess you could sum things up by saying that there is growing opinion that the government is not only ignoring the will of the people (which is has done off and on for the past two hundred odd years), but instead actively engaging in policies designed to thwart the power of the people and consolidate wealth and power within itself.  A government no longer For and By The People.

You know what?  Don’t even bother sending me your form letter, carefully crafted with talking points of why the Patriot Act is essential in stopping the Underwear Bomber.

I’ll simply vote for your opponent, and recommend anyone who will listen to do the same.

—

Feel free to drop him a note yourself: http://thompson.house.gov/contact/index.shtml