My Letter to Senator Warner
By jadedmara Posted in User Blogs — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Senator Warner:
I am a lifelong Virginia resident who is troubled by reports of a compromise deal in the works that would result in six Republicans Senators to vote against the constitutional/nuclear option regarding the recent Democratic filibuster. I, like many others, respect the history and importance of the filibuster as a tool to fight significant battles in the Senate. However, I likewise believe that the filibuster is a tool to be used for legislation, not for judicial confirmations.
Sir, if you are one of those who is tempted to advocate a compromise in this instance, I'd like to point out that the battle over the current judicial nominees is just a precursor to eventual Supreme Court nominations. I fear at this point, the filibuster is NOT being used in extreme cases; it appears that objectionable judges are those that are against Roe v Wade or who hold the constructionist view of upholding the Constitution. I do not believe that this is a case of people of faith being under attack, but I do believe that this is a case of minority views rising up and holding all others to be extreme or intolerant.
Sir, I do not consider myself to be a social conservative, although I am a conservative nonetheless. Although I am strongly pro-life, I will be content with the overthrow of Roe v Wade so that legislatures in individual states can decide as opposed to the activist elite on this issue. Compromising on the filibuster issue, or voting against the constitutional option, will put us down a path in which an anti-Roe or constructionist Supreme Court Justice will never be nominated. We are the majority party now, and we have played by the rules. I urge you to not allow the Democratic Party to suddenly change those rules.
Too bad ratings are disabled because your well-reasoned and even-tempered diary entry deserves a "5" for sure.
When I was sixteen years old, I skipped school to hear John Warner speak in his initial run for the Senate. I got him to sign my excuse note, and have been voting for / following him ever since. However, I am afraid that all the years in Washington have softened him, and made him a little too eager to compromise with a hyper-aggressive minority.
As my Dad said yesterday, if he votes against ending the filibuster of judicial nominees, I hope he has enjoyed his time in Washington, 'cause he won't be going back.
Good letter.