Monday, February 22, 2010

A Letter to Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts

First off let me say that I have been a supporter of you and the Democrats in Massachusetts.

I am writing in regards to the use of the Filibuster rule by the Republican Party in the Senate. I understand that this is a procedural rule, and what it means is that 60 votes are needed to end debate so that a vote on a bill can occur.

However, if we read the constitution, it clearly states that only a simple majority is needed to pass a bill, in our current demographic that means 50 votes plus 1, that one which could be cast by the Vice President.

Its quite simply "political voodoo " to use the filibuster to continue debate indefinitely, in order to prevent a vote from happening and prevent a bill from passing. And quite frankly I believe it to be unconstitutional.

So my ultimatum to you and the rest of the democrats in the senate is to either get rid of the filibuster or literally make the senate republicans debate forever or hold an up or down vote on the bill.

If neither of these things happens, I do not see how I can continue to support our current political system and I will use my vote and support for those candidates that are serious about reform and belong to neither of the current political parties.

I clearly remember the up or down ranting of the Republican party when the Democrats wanted to use the filibuster rule to stop a vote, and I clearly remember Republicans using reconciliation to pass major bills. While our government is mired in these silly debates because of not having 60 votes to proceed to vote on a bill (effectively requiring 60 votes to pass a bill, which is against the constitution) other countries are moving ahead with their agendas, and in the long run our country will suffer for it because we will be left stagnant with our policies and not be the catalyst for change that we need to be in order to survive in our global markets.

Please look into ending the filibuster, and lets govern this country as it was intended in our constitution.