Tuesday, January 19, 2010

An Open Letter to Senator Russ Feingold

I recently contacted Senator Feingold about the utter lack of transparency in the current health care “reform” process. In his reply, Senator Feingold expressed his “disappointment” that the negotiations were occurring behind closed doors. I am always skeptical when someone in a position of power expresses concern, yet offers no resolve in the face of that concern. Below is my reply to Senator Feingold:

 

Dear Senator Feingold,

 

You stated:

I am disappointed that the final bill will not be negotiated by a formal conference committee in public.”

 

Yeah? So what are you going to DO about it?

 

Like the majority of your constituents, I didn’t want you to support this bill in the first place. I don’t want a public option (which you maintain support for), and I certainly don’t want to open the back door to a single payer system, as this final bill will be designed to do. This entire process has been a farce and an indignity to U.S. Citizens, and an affront to the U.S. Constitution. The least you could do is ACTUALLY HONOR YOUR ELECTED POST AND TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT THE NEGOTIATION OF THIS FARCE IS TRANSPARENT. Where are all the so-called leaders in Washington who ought to be holding the President and others responsible for their promise of transparency? Is the passing of this monstrosity so important that principle be made subservient to purpose, even when that purpose is largely unwanted by your constituents? In this case, your inaction, your quiet acquiescence to the lack of transparency makes you just as guilty of the same. Words mean nothing. SHOW ME THAT YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, SENATOR. SHOW ME.  

 

Sincerely,

-Cliff Arthur

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