hagel rhymes with bagel

5/17/2005

The Honorable Chuck Hagel,

I am writing to ask that in your consideration of Leader Frist's execution of the "nuclear option" you remember that the filibuster protects the minority voice in the Senate, regardless of the party in the minority. Excercising a limit on debate for controvertial judicial nominations through a Senate rules change will do nothing but enflame already contentious relations between the two parties. As a Senator known for extra-partisan consideration, I ask that you weigh the consequences of partisan enmity versus the continuation of a long standing Senate Tradition.

When confronted with the arguement that the filibuster is an "un-democratic" tool for forcing a minority view point, remember that the Senate, too, is similarly structured. The county in California where I grew up has more residents that the entire state of Nebraska, yet my adopted state has the same voting weight in the Senate as my home state. Though Nebraska is a small part of the larger whole we, a distinct minority, have a mighty voice in the US Senate. You have been chosen as one of the surrogates for that voice. Consider how Nebraska might fare in our Federal system without the inflated power the Senate gives to minority voices. Please vote to preserve that power.

Vote to preserve parity and consensus in the appointment of powerful judges who will preside long after their appointer has left office. Vote for the rights of the minority, because majorities don't last forever. Vote for the last hope of collegiality in the Senate; we, the people, are tired of the partisan bickering for partisan sake. And consider the nom de guerre that has been given this strategy: excercising a "nuclear option" will only lead to Democratic retaliation of mutually harmful consequence.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.
Yr. Obt. Svt.
k.michael.f.f

P.S. I enjoyed seeing coverage of your trip to NH. It would be nice to see a different Republican as President.