I expect that a Democratic Utah official will be responsive to the public. Wayne Owens, as a Utah Congressman insisted that his staff be responsive, even to those who called him every name in the book. I had a great deal of respect for Wayne Owens and considered him a personal friend. Rep. Jim Matheson? He's no Wayne Owens. I have yet to hear his justification for his FISA capitulation. As a leader in the blue-belly coalition of Democratic appeasers of Bush misbehavior, I would have atleast welcomed a non-sensical and easily refuted response like I got from the Obama people.
But here is a man whom I've had a history with. I've donated money to, I've carried bumperstickers for, I've defended him from criticism from my more liberal friends, and I have received no response. No explanation. Nothing to suggest that he is engaged with Utah's citizens. Has he drank the kool-aid like Hatch, Bennett, Bishop and Cannon, and decided that Utahns are irrelevant? That an inquiry from a Utahn is not worthy of a response because, well, what matters is what goes on in the beltway, not on the 453 UTA bus coming in from Tooele?
Plainly, I'm at a loss. No one, on either side of the aisle, can coherently and convincingly explain why they decided to obliterate the spirit of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The dearth of a response is an indictment against the political culture we live in. I expect such indifference from Republicans. But I hold Democrats to a higher standard. If I am going to share a bed with you, I expect you to brush your teeth and take a shower. As it is, I'm plugging my nose.
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4 comments:
I too am a constituent of Congressman Matheson. We can only assume that guarding his right against the Republican smear machine is his guiding principle. As Chair of the Utah Libertarian Party, however, I must note that we are the only party which consistently opposes these efforts to reduce our Fourth Amendment rights. Maybe someday that will matter.
I'm sorry to hear that you have not been able to get any response from Rep. Matheson. I always thought he was a step ahead of his Republican counterparts because, unlike any of the Republican officials who have represented me above the state level, I have actually received a human response from him on an issue I had contacted him about - granted I have not heard anything related to FISA, but the score is still 1 to 0 in his favor. Too bad it's not higher.
Andrew, thanks for visiting. For the record, I'm not a strict libertarian, but I am someone who believes in providing as much liberty as possible in a complex world where government action is sometimes required.
David, I'm glad you've had positive experiences with Jim Matheson. I have as well, until this VISA vote. I will still support him, but tentatively. He will receive no more financial support.
I do hope his brother Scott jr. sometime re-enters the political arena, because he is very capable.
Ahem, I meant "fisa", not "visa". DOH!! The powers of proofreading.
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