My letter to DeLay and the response I got

Not_Giving_Up

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed Mar-30-05 11:28 PM
Original message

My letter to DeLay and the response I got

So, I wrote my "representative" the other day...here is what I sent him:

As a constituent, I am appalled at the lengths to which you have gone to extend the suffering of Terri Schiavo. I do not understand why the court rulings were not enough, even though the appeals went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. Why do you feel that the government should have a say in whether this woman lives or dies? Shouldn't this be a decision to be made by her family? While there are conflicting opinions between her husband and her parents, the courts have ruled numerous times. Why will no one accept these rulings?

This morning, I saw video footage of you comparing this case to the "political attack" you claim to be under. You should be ashamed of yourself! You are not under a political attack, you are under investigation! You claim that there is an attack on conservatives taking place in this country. This is also not true. When Democrats had the majority, the Republicans did everything they could to attack them. This seems to be what you people do. Democrats/Progressives/Liberals are merely trying to defend themselves against the attacks from the other side that have not stopped. Conservatives seem to think that it is their job to convert the rest of us to believe as they do.

I will not be converted to believe as they do. It is my right, as a citizen, to believe as I choose to believe. If the conservatives could understand that and move on, something might actually get done in this session of Congress. Until then, I suppose that the Democrats will be blamed for nothing getting done, regardless of the fact that most of what is being crammed down their throats goes against their very moral fiber.

I hope to one day see the return of DEMOCRACY to this country.

------------------------------------------------------------

I really had to use restraint, after all, I voted for Morrison, and wanted to tell him so, but I held that in.

Here's the response I got back:

Dear (Not_Giving_Up):

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the way Congress has responded to the situation of Terri Schiavo. It is very helpful when considering important issues to know the views and concerns of my constituents, and I appreciate you taking the time to write.

The case of Terri Schiavo is a wrenching family crisis, but given the
uniquely compelling circumstances, it is also much more than that.
Terri Schiavo is not terminally ill. She is not on artificial life
support. No extraordinary measures are being taken to keep her alive. She needs a feeding tube to eat, but so do thousands of incapacitated people. The decision by a Florida judge to allow her to starve to death is simply unconscionable.

As you may know, the 14th Amendment guarantees all Americans their
God-given rights to equal protection and due process under the law. Terri Schiavo, without access to the federal appeals made every day by
death-row inmates, was being denied both. In light of this, on March 21, 2005, the House of Representatives passed legislation that creates a cause of action in federal court to allow
Terri's parents to bring suit on behalf of their daughter for violation
of any right under the United States Constitution or laws of the United States relating to "the withholding or withdrawal of food, fluids, or
medical treatment necessary to sustain her life." President Bush signed this legislation into law the same day.

As a result of this law, Mrs. Schiavo's parents filed a temporary
restraining order in federal district court to restore her nutrition and hydration so that she would not starve to death before her federal rights could be adjudicated as Congress directed. In addition, the United States Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest supporting Mrs. Schiavo's parents' motion for a temporary restraining order. Most recently, both the federal district court judge and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit have denied their request for a temporary restraining order. These decisions are disappointing because they are at odds with both the clear intent of Congress and the constitutional rights of Terri Schiavo.

Again, thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the
Congressional response to the Terri Schiavo situation. It is an honor
to serve you in the United States House of Representatives.

-------------------------------------------------------------

I'm sorry...Did I sound like I needed a fucking synopsis? I know what's going on, I wanted to know WHY, and to let him know that I disagree.