Topic: Constitutional Issues
Can Any Good Thing Come Out of Washington? Ron Paul, a.k.a. "Dr. No," this week voted against renewal of the so-called "Protect America Act." Thank God, so did enough other congressmen that this unconstitutional bill is now HISTORY!by creator
(libertarian)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Editor's Note:♣ Today's column is brought to you by permission, courtesy of Downsize DC. Ron Paul is frequently called "Dr. No" because he often votes "No" on unconstitutional legislation. By returning the federal government to it's Constitutionally mandated size, Dr. Paul foresees Peace, Freedom, and Prosperity for America. Jim Babka of Downsize DC reports the good news that, in this very important instance, congress went along with Dr. Paul!
Victory at sunset
Today's Downsizer Dispatch . . .
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Quote of the Day:
"Is it any wonder why the approval ratings of the Congress go up every time we go into recess?" -- Sen. Robert C. Byrd (Democrat West Virginia)
Subject: Victory at sunset
Downsizers sent 47,034 messages to Congress about the so-called "Protect America Act" (PAA). Most of these messages asked Congress to repeal PAA or allow it to sunset.
Three days ago, on Wednesday, we wrote to tell you that the Senate had done the exact opposite of what you requested. They did not repeal PAA.
They did not allow it to sunset.
They did not pass the amendments we requested that would have made the replacement for PAA less bad.
Instead, they passed a bill permitting warrantless spying on Americans, and granting immunity to the telecommunications companies that had previously spied on Americans. But . . . We asked you to hit Congress once again, specifically asking the House to not do as the Senate had done.
We got what we wanted.
The Democrats in the House finally showed some backbone.
They refused to take action on a replacement for PAA.
This means that PAA sunsetted out of existence at midnight on Friday.
Victory at sunset!
Speaker Pelosi also had some good things to say as she announced the sunset of PAA. She pointed out that the government still retains all the powers it needs to spy on suspected terrorists under the old FISA law, which remains in place. She also talked about the need for the government, and the telecommunications companies, to operate under the rule of law.
You see, Congress may mostly do bad things, but not always. It's important to understand that we can never expect them to do the right thing if we don't tell them what we want. Your 47,034 messages to Congress were important in encouraging the House to do the right thing.
And other things we've done may also have contributed. Downsizers have also sent 18,807 messages telling Congress that we are not afraid of terrorism.
And another 18,297 messages asking Congress to pass Ron Paul's "American Freedom Agenda Act." All of these messages have communicated to Congress that they must not destroy American freedoms for the sake of combating the threat of terrorism.
You are to be congratulated for the part you played in this outcome. But . . .
As the sun sets, it also rises, and there will certainly be attempts by some to restore warrantless spying and immunity for the telecommunications companies. We will have to remain vigilant. I am confident that we -- that you -- will do that.
Please send Congress a message praising the House for allowing PAA to sunset, and ask the Senate to forgo any further action on replacing PAA. You can send your message here.
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