Thursday, May 26, 2011, the US Senate and US House of Representatives passed by a large margin the renewal of the PATRIOT Act. Both of Oklahoma’s Senators and All of Oklahoma’s Congressmen, with the exception of Sullivan, voted to renew it with no debate and no amendments. Sullivan did not vote so his inaction is just as bad if not worse than those who voted for it.
The PATRIOT Act is the worst violation of the people of the United States’ rights to be secure in their persons and be given due process. The renewal of the PATRIOT Act continues the ability of the US to violate the rights of the people by searching and monitoring the communication and purchase history of guns and other objects of interest without any court oversight.
Local law enforcement is required to get a warrant before performing any kind of search or wiretap even in cases of clear evidence of wrong doing. But the US government has granted themselves the power to bypass the courts when all they have is a hunch or a gut feeling.
When will the people of this nation stand up for their rights? When will the people of this nation realize that the specter of terrorism is nothing more than that, a specter? When will we vote in people who understand the Constitution this nation was founded on? I tried last election and will again this next election.
I wrote Tom Cole, Tom Coburn and James Inhofe of my displeasure regarding their vote and informed them that they will not receive my vote in the future and that I will be actively supporting other candidates. Here is my letter:
Because of your vote on the renewal of the PATRIOT Act yesterday, it is clear that you either do not understand the Constitution of the United States or actively disregard it. It is clear that you do not actually care about the people that you were elected to represent. It is clear that you would rather hide behind the specter of terrorism than face the people directly in open debate about why you would support such a violation of the people’s rights to privacy and due process granted by the Constitution of the United States.
Because of your vote to renew the PATRIOT Act, I will never vote for you again. I will actively work to get someone who understands, cares about and lives by the Constitution of the United States elected to replace you. You do no deserve to remain in your seat because you have violated the oath of office you took when elected. You vowed to Uphold the Constitution and serve the people. Instead you have trampled both under your feet. Enjoy the remaining time you have in your term, because it will be the last. The people will not stand to have their rights violated much longer.
Portions of this post were printed in the “Letters to the Editor” pages of the News OK. Patriot Act renewals continues a loss of rights
