It doesn't happen very often.
You, fellow Ocean Stater, actually have the opportunity to shift the direction of our country.
The How of it is easy - these 4 steps take less than 2 minutes.
For the Why, keep reading below.
- Call Senator Chafee's office now at: (202) 224-2921 (or call the Capitol switchboard toll free at: 800-426-8073 and ask for Senator Chafee's office);
- Indicate that you wish to speak to a staff member;
- Tell the person your name and city of residence;
- Tell them to let Senator Chafee know your view on Alito.
NB: I originally submitted this to Projo, but it'll likely have more eyes on it sooner here. And I don' really want to be published - I just want to scuttle Alito.
The appeal below the jump is written for ANY AND ALL Rhode Islanders, regardless of political stripe.
Why do you suddenly have a voice in national politics?
Three reasons:
- You live in Rhode Island - our wonderfully small state, and are personally represented by Senators Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee.
- Of our two senators, Senator Chafee is both undecided and a potential swing vote in the Senate confirmation process of President Bush's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Samuel Alito.
- Senator Chafee is up for re-election this year, so in addition to having asked for his constituents' views on Judge Alito, the Senator is also particularly likely to listen.
This is a perfect storm of opportunity for Rhode Islanders to influence whether or not Judge Alito is given a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.
Do you like the direction our country and world has been heading during the last 5 years? Yes or no, let Senator Chafee know. As a Supreme Court Justice, Alito is likely to work to institutionalize many of President Bush's policy decisions now under legal scrutiny. Are you in favor of the President having the power to declare American citizens enemy combatants? The power to ignore U.S. law on the treatment of prisoners? The power to conduct surveillance on U.S. citizens without a warrant or any judicial oversight? Yes or no, call Senator Chafee's office now.
With Bush's 2004 Presidential win, he also won his choice of Supreme Court nominees. His first choice for this seat was Harriet Miers, but the outcry against her from the religious right resulted in her withdrawal. Now we have Alito, and those earlier objectors to President Bush's choice of nominee are happy.
The President's nomination is half the process. Now the Senate provides its advice and consent according to Senate rules. It is the Senate's responsibilityto carefully scrutinize all nominees, and when appropriate, withhold consent. For those who prefer to think the President's nominees do not tend to have any significant effect on our lives or our country, I offer 3 words: "heckuva job, Brownie."
Let the President pick his nominee, and let us Rhode Islanders have our voices echo in the Senate chambers too. That's how a democracy is supposed to work. Citizens, contact Senator Chafee with your views, and Senator Chafee, represent the will of your constituents.