Gerald Nadler: "The Day Democracy was Killed in Congress" (DeLay)

[madfloridian]

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/004880.html#more
The Day Democracy Was Killed In Congress
Rep. Jerry Nadler is the ranking Democrat on the Constitution Subcommittee in the House and the Democrats first line of defense on Constitutional issues. Please support him by visiting www.JerryNadler.com.

In August of 2003, I was one of the first Members of Congress to endorse Governor Dean for President. I thoroughly enjoyed the wild ride we had during the primaries, and it was one of the great experiences of my professional life to meet many of you out on the road. You are one of the key reasons our democracy is so vibrant this election cycle, and I continue to be wowed by how much the grassroots accomplishes everyday.

Now, along with all of you, I am focusing on doing everything I can do to elect John Kerry our next President, and, as Governor Dean says, "send George Bush on a one-way bus trip back to Crawford, Texas." Less talked about, but critically important, is doing all we can to return Congress to Democratic control.

The Congress, especially the House of Representatives under Tom DeLay, has become as undemocratic a body as the U.S. Government has ever seen. Here is one example...

Earlier this month, I joined Bernie Sanders and a number of other Democrats and Republicans in introducing "The Freedom to Read" amendment to a government-funding bill. The amendment said that none of the funds could be used to enforce Section 215 of the Patriot Act, effectively killing that provision of the law. Section 215, as many of you know, expands the scope of materials that the FBI can access with a warrant from the government's secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court, including books, records, papers, documents and other items, in any location. This broad language includes bookstores and libraries, which are traditionally protected by the First Amendment from government surveillance......"END SNIP

Fascinating...tells how DeLay tactics stymied Democrats efforts.

[madfloridian]

1. One by one, DeLay forced them to change their votes.....

holding the vote open.

SNIP..."One by one, Republicans who voted their conscience were forced to change their votes. When the "vote" changed to 210-210 (a tied vote, thus a failed vote), the Speaker quickly banged the gavel, and despite my attempts to halt proceedings, declared the amendment defeated. The fate of the "Freedom to Read" amendment was sealed.

The Republican leadership, including Tom DeLay, the White House, and Attorney General "J. Edgar" Ashcroft are so desperate to look into bookstore and library records that they violated the key principles of democracy to block an amendment that had already passed. That day was a sad one for democracy and liberty. I would say that I am shocked, but, unfortunately, I have come to expect this from this Republican leadership...."

This is just how they got the horrible Medicare bill through.