The PATRIOT Act supporters are at it again. Since the last vote unexpectedly failed, they have changed the rules to allow it to pass with a simple majority vote this time (it required 2/3 vote to pass last time). Now they are bringing it up for vote again before the provisions expire on February 28th. I have emailed my representative again, a 2nd time, to try to persuade him to vote against extending any of the provisions of the PATRIOT Act up for renewal. Here is my 2nd letter:
I recently contacted you regarding your vote to extend certain provisions of the PATRIOT Act. I understand this will come up for vote again tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 14th, 2011, and that the house leadership has decided to change the rules to allow passage by a simple majority vote this time. Aren’t some of these tactics the same that Pelosi, Reid, et al, used to pass Obamacare? I wrote in my last email to you a few days ago that I was unhappy with your yea vote. We agree on so much and I believe you are a person that sees the wisdom of the Founders and the principles behind the Constitution. How do you reconcile your vote with the 4th amendment, for example? Suspected terrorists or foreigners or any other category of people, here or abroad, do not get special treatment. Please stand up for our freedoms and keep us safe from illegal searches and seizures. As the 4th amendment states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” The PATRIOT Act clearly violates this amendment and has already shown itself to be harmful to the freedoms of Americans, not simply some foreigners supposed to be affiliated with terrorism in some way. I do not believe that you protect people by violating their rights.Please vote against extending any provisions of the PATRIOT Act. I posted your last vote and my letter to you on my blog for my friends and family and am doing the same with this letter and your vote tomorrow.Thank you for your time.
UPDATE: My representative, Jeff Flake, voted for the extension again, today. The PATRIOT Act extensions passed today with a vote of 275-144. It wouldn’t have passed if they didn’t change the rules to only require a simple majority vote. You can see how your representative voted today here. Interesting side note, 144 so-called Tea Party members of Congress voted for this today. As someone noted on Twitter: “Honestly teaparty people, do you agree with your reps extending the PatriotAct ? I can’t see how big brother is smaller government.”
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