I rarely diary here at Daily Kos because not being a progressive or Democrat I believe it would be bad form to come in here as a guest and post diaries that would be antithetical to purpose of this site. I am however and avid reader of Daily Kos, and a political junkie in general. One of my all time favorite politicians continues to be Congressman Anthony Wiener in spite of the fact that I strongly disagree with many of his policy positions. Were I to live on the other side of the Hudson, I would vote for him for Mayor in a heartbeat. In a profession where obfuscation is looked on as job skill, I find his frankness on the floor of the house and in speaking with the public to be refreshing. He's seems to me to be a man with deeply held convictions that he is willing to fight for in spite of the political consequences. Nothing about the last three weeks has caused me to change that opinion. I am, however, thoroughly disgusted with the hypocrisy of Republicans and the political expediency/cowardice of the Democrats in trying to force Congressman Weiner to resign.
The hubris of trying to force out of office a duly elected member of Congress, particularly one who has not been shown to have committed any crime and who has the overwhelming support of his constituents, is breathtaking. Quite frankly, our Constitution doesn't give a shit what the heads of the DNC or RNC thinks about a particular member of congress. This government is for the people, by the people, not by the head of some committee who is way more concerned about soliciting donations for an election 18 months from now than she is about honoring the will of the voters of New York's 9th congressional district. It certainly is not by some shamelessly hypocritical weasel trying to score cheap political points:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
I'm not a big fan of open letters to anyone but just in case the congressman is checking in on Daily Kos my plea to him, as a New Jersey independent who disagrees with him on a whole lot of his fiscal politics and his favorite sports team, is thus:
Don't let the same people who would love to see your voice silenced get their wish through their ginned up phoney outrage and their selective moralizing.
Don't let your colleagues, the great majority of which only wish that they had your chutzpah and your natural talent to be a courageous and effective advocate for the causes that you believe in, kick you to the curb now that you have become a "distraction"
Don't let anyone subvert the will of your constituents, whom you have faithfully served over a decade.
Fight, like the fighter you have been all of your public life. Fight, even in the face of a hostile media, hypocritical Republicans, and "politically expedient" Democrats. Fight, for your constituents who want you to do so. Fight, for the progressives who through your voice have had a strong and compelling champion. Fight, because if you don't this congress and this country will be poorer for having lost your voice.