I just wrote to The President

[mnhtnbb]

and raised the question of whether the Tea Party Reps and Boehner could be charged
with sedition. I'd love for any DU'ers who are lawyers to chime in on this idea.


Here's what I said:

Mr. President:

I am writing to let you know that I stand with you regarding the implementation of the ACA. It is law. Although my husband (a psychiatrist) and I, a retired hospital administrator, would have preferred to see a single payer system, we are appreciative of many of the provisions of the ACA, particularly the result that so many thousands of Americans will now have access to health insurance.

However, I believe the Republican action to shut down the US Government is not about provisions of the ACA. That is just an excuse for them. I do believe the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party is out to destroy our system of government. And that cannot be allowed to happen. The men and women who are behind the votes to shut down the government took an oath when they were sworn into office--an oath to protect and defend The Constitution of the United States. I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me that the actions of this gang are intended to cripple the United States and to tilt the balance of power between the branches of government way over in favor of a minority of individuals in the House of Representatives. That is not right, it is not proper, and it must stop. Again, I am not a lawyer, but I wonder whether a case could be made by the Attorney General charging these out of control Tea Party Representatives--and House Speaker Boehner-- with sedition. I am quite serious. They have taken their ideological differences with you beyond the realm of reason and are flirting with terrorism. Our enemies do not have to come from beyond our borders. They do not have to blow things up. They just have to be out to rebel against the authority of the state--and the disrespect they have demonstrated regarding the ACA as law sure seems to qualify, along with their refusal to do the jobs they were elected to do by working with the Senate to enact a budget.

Throw the book at them, Mr. President. Just throw the book at them. You have my full support.

Respectfully,

[mnhtnbb]

1. You can send your own thoughts to POTUS here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

2. When you write "throw the book at them," what do you mean? I say this as a federal government

employee, many of us wanting to go back to work. What options do you think the president has?

[mnhtnbb]

3. Well, I'd start with reminding them of the Oath of Office they each took

when they were sworn in.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

The Constitution deliberately sets up several branches of government which are all designed to work in balance.
A small group--30 or 40--Congressional Representatives have SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT of the USA. That does not
sound balanced to me.

I know--not only from Obama's background in Constitutional law--but listening to him the last few days that he understands
where this is going if it is not stopped. This isn't just about the ACA--it's about a small group of people seizing power
way beyond what they are entitled to have in the Constitution.


So, I'd leave it up to the lawyers in the Attorney General's office to figure out what kind of case--dereliction of duty? sedition? treason? something else? could be made against them.

You do not negotiate with terrorists, nor do you play nice with bullies. This crap has to be stopped. Just MHO.

I hope you are able to go back to work soon.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. Well, I think this is an outstanding letter and I hope he has time to read. I know he responds

to at least 10 letters every day. I hope he'll eventually get to yours soon.

I do believe that this president will go down as one of the greatest presidents this country has ever had. I think he is underappreciated and mistreated, but I think things will change long after he leaves office.

Thanks for the well wishes. My colleagues and I are keeping each other sane.

[Filibuster Harry]

5. The Rs have disrespected this president from day 1. They have obstructed much legislation

and have caused harm to this country instead of helping it. I love the letter. I have written to the president also and many senators and congressman requesting that they do not negotiate on the ACA. It is not right.
The Rs don't want people in this country to get health care. And now they have the audacity to blame the democrats for closing down the gov't. The Rs have no shame and you just can't give in to them. Remember, Mr. Weeper of the house said months ago he would not shut the gov't down; well as a typical R he went back on his word.The president and his democrats must stand strong on this. If the gov't is shut down for some time and /or the debt ceiling is not raised it will be on the Rs. You cannot negotiate with unreasonable people. No one in this country ,including Rs, would want the president to negotiate with say Putin if one of Putin's demands was for the US to completely get rid of our nuclear weapons.

[dgibby]

6. Excellent letter!

I agree 100%. I think President Obama is well aware that this is more than opposition to him, his Presidency, or the ACA, and I think that's why he and the Dems have taken a "No Negotiation" stance this time.

As he alluded to in his interview with John Harwood, and I'm paraphrasing here as I can't remember his exact words, but in effect he said that he had tried over and over to compromise, to negotiate, to no avail, and that he wasn't going to do it this time. I applaud him for that.

Although, as a military retiree and SS recipient, my pay has not yet been affected, that could all change in a heartbeat if the repubs renege on the Debt Ceiling. If that happens, I'll probably lose my house (not to mention my shirt); however, I stand firmly behind the President on this. He cannot negotiate with these anarchists and terrorists who are trying to take down the government and turn the US into a Banana Republic all in the name of Globalization.

[hue]

7. Thanks so much for this!! K&R!!