Senator:
My name is (enlightenmentman!) and I am a constituent of yours. I am writing with regard to the Democratic Senatorial leadership's apparent decision not to filibuster the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. This is a cowardly and foolish decision not in the longterm interests of America or the Democratic Party. It is quite clear that Alito is willing to vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, from his 1980s comments on the case and his comments during confirmation hearings about stare decisis. We also know that he has lied about professional activities in the past and that as late as the 1980s he was proud of his membership in a Princeton alumni association that opposed the entrance of women and minorities to that college.
I don't care if a filibuster will fail, it is time to take a stand. When will you take a stand, if not on a centrist issue like reproductive rights (a majority of the country supports abortions rights in some form)?
I am a Democratic activist. Although I do not have a high income, I donated hundreds of dollars to Democratic candidates in the last election cycle, and I put in probably 40 hours of volunteer time working for Democrats. I have a full-time job and young children and my wife also works, so this time contribution was substantial. I also publish opeds in local newspapers and contribute to various online blogs.
IF YOU DO NOT PUBLICLY SUPPORT A FILIBUSTER OF ALITO I WILL NOT DONATE MONEY TO OR WORK FOR Y0UR CAMPAIGN AND I WILL VOTE FOR ANY PRIMARY CHALLENGER YOU MIGHT HAVE. I WILL ALSO VOTE FOR ANY GREEN PARTY OR OTHER PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE WHO MIGHT RUN AGAINST YOU. Many of us rank-and-file Democrats are disgusted with the repeated retreats our "representatives" have been making on centrist issues (a majority of Americans support legal abortions rights in some form). Senator, the people who do the footwork for Democratic candidates are just sick to death of the refusal of our leadership to fight - their failure to defend Congressman Murtha, their failure to criticize President Bush for beginning the Iraq War until years too late, their failure to expose effectively the real effects of Republican tax cuts, etc.
Stand up for us, for once. And to the staff member reading this - either send me a substantitive reply or nothing. No form letters please.
best regards