As a result of filling out those online 'protest forms' that sends email to one's elected Congressional reps, I on occasion get replies from these same reps.
Since I live in Texas, one of those reps is Senator Ted Cruz.
Now, I will say that I think Sen. Cruz is a smarmy, religion-obsessed, and creepy man. But occasionally, he surprises me.
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear [Deacon Blues],
Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding civil asset forfeiture. Input from fellow Texans significantly informs my decision-making and empowers me to better represent the State.
It is wrong for the government to confiscate anyone’s property on the mere suspicion that it may be connected to a crime. Our justice system is supposed to operate under the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” yet civil asset forfeiture too often twists this assumption to “guilty until proven innocent.” In the past, I have voted against confirming judges who fail to protect property rights, and I hope to have the opportunity to address civil asset forfeiture abuse here in the Senate as well.
Thank you again for sharing your views with me. Please feel free to contact me in the future about any issue important to your family. It is an honor to serve you and the people of Texas.
For Liberty,
Signature
Senator Ted Cruz
So... if (if!) a Republican senator from a state known for egregious police abuse of authority, can state that he opposes this practice as inherently wrong, and that it goes against our Constitutional right of presumed innocence, perhaps, just maybe, there is hope. There just might be a light at the end of the tunnel for people who every day have to deal with overzealous police. Perhaps our cops will get past the idea that Other People's Stuff would be best served as money-raising materiel at a police auction instead of in the owner's possession.
I still don't like Senator Cruz. But in this one instance, his stance on civil forfeiture aligns with mine.
Perhaps we should all ask our elected officials what they think about this, and what they plan to do about it. If we can get all of Congress talking, maybe we can get the 'presumptive' practice banned.