Lets send a "Thank You" to Senator Conrad!

[liberalnurse]

I read about his heroic efforts here on DU as well as the newspapers. Today, I got this email which elaborated on his courage and fine leadership abilities....

Here it is:

You may have heard already: House Republicans slipped into the huge end-of-session spending bill a tiny provision which would allow the chairmen of the Congressional Appropriations Committees and their staff to examine Americans' income tax returns. And it would have overridden privacy safeguards against disclosure of your tax return.

Senator Conrad's principled protest was only possible because of the Senate's unique rules. Unlike in the House of Representatives, a determined minority in the Senate, or even a single Senator, can use the "right to debate" to insist that the Congress do the right thing.

Let's be thankful that the Senate can serve as a check against the recklessness of the House of Representatives, whose leadership is willing to steamroll the minority whenever it wants.

Let’s be thankful that even the threat of a filibuster can allow Senators to block dangerous legislation or other matters, including judicial nominations.

And today, let's thank Senator Conrad for being the one to say "NO" to the Republican leadership.

SEND A THANKSGIVING THANK YOU TO NORTH DAKOTA SENATOR CONRAD:

CALL [phone]

AND TELL SENATOR CONRAD

Thank you for using your job as a senator to defend my right to privacy, and for using the rules of the Senate to ensure that the Republican "Tax Return Grab" provision did not become law.

Thank you for having the courage to stand up for your principles.

I will continue to support you and your colleagues in your battle to make the voice of the minority heard. We rely on your determination and courage to protect our civil rights and liberties in the coming years.

With Republicans controlling the House, the Senate, and the White House, the Senate's unique rules and traditions serve as our last barrier of defense against the excess of arrogance that result from single-party control of every branch of government. Let's start now in encouraging the steadfast courage of Senators like Kent Conrad, and remembering why these rules that set the Senate apart from the House will be so essential to maintain in the coming years.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Conrad is one of my true favorites and is ideologically very close to...

me!

[liberalnurse]

2. I think the Congressional Aid who answered the phone was surprised

to hear a thank you.....It was my pleasure to share my most sincere graditude.......


I think I would of been deeply depressed or disappointed if not even one Democrat stood up to these crooks. Conrad gets a "Hug" from me!:grouphug: