I sent my first letter to the editor last week concerning the infusion of the religious right in the traditions of the Senate (filibuster). I did not have high expectations based on the content usually printed in the Arkansas Democratic Gazette, but writing the letter gave me a healthy release form the tensions of living through these "Bush years".
Well, I just received a phone call stating I will have my letter published and they plan to expedite the letter due to the timing of the filibuster issue. YEAH! (below the fold)
I'm going to celebrate by writing another one!
BTW, I also found out this week that my first independent research manuscript out of my lab is going to be published. YEAH!
What I wrote:
Today, America faces the politicizing of religion as a tool to compromise the integrity of our democracy. The actions of a religious minority endanger not just the parliamentary procedures of the Senate; rather, the integrity of our government and society as a whole.
As integral to American democracy, the filibuster has a long history as a procedure used by all political parties to foster if not force discussion on important issues. The appointment of judges by the Senate is such an issue. The checks and balances in our government, like the filibuster, ensure our government does not succumb to the passions of the few or the many at the expense of the future of our nation. The threat to remove the filibuster and therefore open discussion is a threat to a core principle of our democracy and should be treated as such.
As a Christian, I find the actions of minority evangelical Christians in this issue egregious. We are a nation governed of, by, and for the people - not by the few. The filibuster ensures a voice for all parties. Politicizing their "Christian" faith serves their own selfish needs. They speak neither for my faith nor those of the majority of Americans. As enshrined in our Constitution, only through the separation of church and state do we preserve the integrity of both.
The independence of not just the judiciary branch but our government is at risk. All Arkansans should contact Senators Lincoln and Pryor to support for our democracy.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=AR