Michelle Bachmann became the representative for Minnesota's sixth Congressional district in 2006 and remained so in 2008. And as long as she is, it should also be the responsibility of her contituents to help her represent them in a manner that is, well, not a national embarassment.
In appearances over this past week, at the Financial Services hearing and again on Glenn Beck's and Sean Hannity's programs, Michelle repeatedly questioned Tim Geithner's Constitutional authority as Treasury Secretary and other Constitutional issues. Clearly, Michelle needs to brush up on her knowledge of our nation's Constitution.
I thought it would help her to have a copy of the Constitution. So I'm sending her one.
Several, actually.
Of course, I would never merely email her a web link or a PDF file. It's important for me to know that she has a physical copy at her fingertips, no matter where she is.
Her website lists her Congressional office addresses as:
Washington Office
107 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2331
Fax: (202) 225-6475
Woodbury Office
6043 Hudson Rd, Suite 330
Woodbury, MN 55125
Phone: 651-731-5400
Fax: 651-731-6650
St. Cloud/Waite Park Office
110 2nd Street S, Suite 232
Waite Park, MN 56387
Phone: 320-253-5931
Fax: 320-240-6905
I intend to send a copy of the Constitution to each of these addresses.
There are so many versions to choose from! The National Archives webite has lovely high-res scans of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that would look wonderful if printed out and mailed or faxed. The original script is sometimes difficult to read, so the National Archives website also has full transcripts of both. I may even use a fluorescent marker to highlight certain passages.
On the other hand, I might not have the time to make and send full printouts. It could be more convenient to send an already-printed book. There is a nice paperback of The Constitution of the United States of America, with the Bill of Rights and all of the Amendments, the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation available for under five bucks. There is also a compact version, The United States Constitution: What It Says, What It Means: A Hip Pocket Guide for the same price. Of course, I would personally never send The Complete Idiot's Guide to the U.S. Constitution to a Congressional representative. But I must admit that my kids and I all learned a great deal from The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation, which may be more to her liking.
What do you think?