In a year where so many aspects of the election have been called unprecedented, let’s hope for one last “unprecedented” vote from the Electoral College that will put an end to the dangerous and escalating threat to our Constitution and the concept of “Justice for All.” The E.C. is not simply a formality, it is indeed the formal and final vote on who is qualified to be President of these United States. My open letter (and plea) to the Electoral College as they prepare to meet December 19:
Dear Electors, thank you for your service and the important role you are fulfilling for America! The Electoral College has never been more important than this year (2016.) Many of us are grateful you are here to serve as a final "fail-safe" to assure we don't elect a tyrant, traitor or someone whose judgment is compromised by foreign influences. That is a primary reason for keeping the confusing process that is the E.C.
Our Founders and Framers envisioned that someday a demagogue or an unqualified “man” might fool the public into voting for him. The Electors were to be a group of thoughtful public officials empowered to make a final determination of Constitutional fitness and assure we did not find ourselves with another King. Now is the time for the Electoral College to do its job, as still lawfully provided for under the Constitution of the United States.
Donald Trump is not yet President-Elect because only YOU decide that outcome when you convene. Currently he’s in a nowhere land being neither the winner of the popular vote, nor confirmed as yet by YOU, our Electors. And, please do not be misled by “prior pledges” or threats of being “faithless Electors” (I address that at the end of this letter.) There are many reasons to be alarmed given findings from the CIA and other intelligence gathering agencies confirming attempts by Russia to “hack” and influence our election, our own FBI director released confusing reports in the days before we voted, and perhaps most worrisome how the so-called winner of the E.C. (which is yet to vote) laughs off these concerns calling them "rediculous" (his spelling on Twitter.)
That brings me to further concerns. Donald Trump's continued use of Twitter is problematic now that he receives security briefings yet still plays fast and loose with facts to his supporters on social media. This also created a confused electorate. His choices for security advisors (Steve Bannon and former General Flynn) actually distributed fake news online before and after the election. A hoax called #PizzaGate resulted in shots being fired in a Washington DC pizza place where Flynn and Bannon had claimed a child-sex ring supported by Hillary Clinton was operating. Such outlandish false allegations should have been rebuked by then-candidate Trump instead of condoning it. He has since appointed those involved to his inner circle. How can we possibly trust such a man?
Trump shows us the type of people he wants in his cabinet—more foreign “friends” and military men. It is dangerous, especially Trump's continued support of Russian allies, as Congress prepares for a bi-partisan investigation of election tampering!
As a former news anchor & reporter who covered politics and later served as a government employee for over 25 years, I know that most public officials are deeply committed to our Constitution and treasure the freedoms our government has created. Most, if not all, of you are elected or appointed officials. You know the challenges of upholding the public trust. Part of the Oath of Office is to be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, and justice for all.
Here are KEY QUESTIONS to consider as you vote: Do you truly believe Donald J. Trump can uphold the Public Trust given his unknown foreign interests and financial holdings? More importantly, can you elect him when his behavior violates the intent of the Constitution and the Emoluments Clause? The latter actually disqualifies Donald J. Trump.
The Emoluments Clause expressly forbids receiving payments or gifts from foreign governments. Trump has admitted to vast foreign business dealings, and we witnessed a variety of foreign government representatives (like the Kingdom of Bahrain delegation at the Washington DC Trump hotel, and many others) attempting to curry favor. Also, the federal government is leasing that building to Donald Trump, yet another financial conflict. And he continues to further complicate the foreign "influences" with his cabinet picks and advisors-- especially with Exxon CEO Tillerson.
Donald J. Trump's foreign income and foreign influences are clearly in violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, and there is a mechanism for DISQUALIFYING such a candidate... YOUR Electoral vote! You are the deciders.
NO Elector should be "fined", charged with a crime, or called a “faithless Elector” for voting their conscience, as our Founders intended. States who insist on such pledges or threaten fines have not been challenged in the Supreme Court, but there is case law that indicates the Elector is a free agent (Citations in this article.) Also, the Elector’s Trust has been established to pay for your legal costs should any Elector be charged as "faithless." (It even offers FREE legal advice before you vote.) So NO Elector should vote for Trump who will be in violation of the Emoluments Clause the moment he is sworn-in. Finally, when you vote, please consider that Hillary Clinton, who has now won the popular vote by nearly THREE MILLION votes, has already released 30 years of tax forms disclosing ALL information about her finances, has been thoroughly "vetted", and investigated many times by Congress. She meets the Constitutional requirements to be President of the United States, and has the best chance to reach the 270 E.C. vote threshold, if just a few more of you “do the right thing.”
Thank you for your time and consideration, I appreciate and respect the role you serve in our electoral process.
Sincerely, ej "jami" Morgan, Albuquerque, NM