Typical Reply From My Senator
I recently emailed Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania regarding my concerns about the H.R.1. bill and how I believe it will disenfranchise me as a voter. The H.R.1. bill will federalize election laws away from the states and codify all of the irregularities from the 2020 election, essentially turning the country into a one party system led by the Democrats. I told him that his support was super, super, super important to me. Here is a summary of the typical reply from my Senator. Of course, it’s canned and condescending. My comments are in bold italics below each section.
The Integrity Of Our Democracy
In the first part of his reply, my Senator thanked me for contacting him about the “integrity of our democracy” and then touted the merits of Pennsylvania Act 77 which was passed in 2019. He referred to Act 77 as historic and bipartisan legislation that made voting safer and easier for all Pennsylvanians.
I sent my email to Mr. Casey because I am concerned about the “integrity of our democracy.” But, as you’ll see later, the integrity of our democracy is very one-sided. And, it isn’t my side.
The Pennsylvania legislature made a huge mistake passing Act 77 into law. They had no idea that it would be used in the 2020 election to change election laws on the fly and disenfranchise voters. They also had no idea that some counties would purchase Dominion voting machines, which have come into question since the 2020 election. The Republican leaders in the legislature attempted unsuccessfully to have Act 77 declared unconstitutional after the 2020 election.
Safe, Fair and Free
Next, Mr. Casey told me how a record number of voters turned out for the 2020 election and how the election was safe, fair and free. He also mentioned that “every Pennsylvanians voice was heard.”
Voter turnout was high in Pennsylvania because of no-excuse mail-in voting, eased voter identification restrictions, extended voter deadlines, and a huge contingent of pro-Trump voters. Mark Levin outlines the illegal changes that occurred in Pennsylvania eloquently. Calling this a safe, fair and free election is simply not accurate. I know that my voice wasn’t heard in the election.
Most Secure Election in American History
In the next section, Mr. Casey referenced the Trump campaign and Republican lawsuits challenging the results of the election. He accused President Trump of promoting “baseless conspiracy theories.” And then quoted Christopher Krebs, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the Department of Homeland Security, as saying that the 2020 election was “the most secure in American History.” He made sure to mention that President Trump fired Mr. Krebs afterwards.
Christopher Krebs was a deep state swamp creature. There was a concerted effort by the deep state to undermine President Trump since 2015. This is not a baseless conspiracy theory. This is a fact. President Trump simply wanted every legal vote to count. You should want that too Mr. Casey. This has nothing to do with H.R.1. You’re doing some grandstanding here.
Mr. Casey then continues to attack President Trump’s lawsuits saying that they “contain no evidence” and “do not even allege widespread fraud.” He goes on to quote a Trump-appointed Third Circuit Judge who drafted a unanimous opinion rejecting one of President Trump’s lawsuits because “the campaign’s claims have no merit.”
There is an abundance of proof of fraud in the 2020 election. Statistical analyses point to outcomes that were improbable, if not impossible. They had proof that deceased people voted. They have over 5000 sworn affidavits. They have United States Postal Service whistleblowers who stepped forward to report that postmasters were backdating ballots. They also have evidence that a truck full of ballots was delivered to Pennsylvania from the state of New York.
Even if there was the slightest suspicion of fraud, it is Mr. Casey’s responsibility as my representative to assure me that my vote is sacred. This section also has nothing to do with H.R.1. It’s more grandstanding and it’s disrespectful of my feelings.
Listen to the Concerns
Continuing on, Mr. Casey tells me that some of his constituents have still expressed concerns about vote-by-mail systems since the 2020 election. Then, he gives all of the reasons that mail-in voting is a great system. He even mentions that President Trump voted absentee by mail in the 2018 midterm elections and the 2020 Florida primary. He wraps this section up by highlighting the success of mail-in voting in Oregon.
If your constituents expressed concerns about potential vote fraud, it is your duty and responsibility to represent them in Congress. That means listening to those concerns before voting for H.R.1. Regardless of the success of mail-in voting in Oregon, that doesn’t mean it will be successful in Pennsylvania. I have my doubts based on the actions of the Wolf administration before, during and after the 2020 election. To take this small sample of mail-in voting success and apply it to the entire country is irresponsible. Every state is different.
For The Democrats Act
Mr. Casey then says that all of the election concerns demonstrate the need for “broad and wide-ranging election reform.” As a “proud original co-sponsor of the For the People Act,” he makes the case that it will minimize corruption and expand voting rights with provisions for modernizing voter registration, limiting voter roll purges, overhauling campaign finance practices, and reforming the redistricting process.
Finally, something we agree on. Broad and wide-ranging election reform is absolutely needed to avoid the catastrophe that was the 2020 election.
I believe what you mean by “overhauling campaign finance practices” is accepting the domination of big private donations, including unaccountable dark money, in campaign financing. I believe what you mean about “reforming the redistricting process” is to have it done by an independent redistricting commission micromanaged by H.R.1.’s provisions. I believe these provisions will benefit the Democrats and hurt the Republicans. You’ve said “fair” often in this letter. Is this fair?
Tax Returns?
This is an interesting section. Mr. Casey ties the merits of the For the People Act to previous legislation he has sponsored including the DISCLOSE Act, the Honest Ads Act, the Supreme Court Ethics Act, the Democracy Restoration Act, and the Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act, which would require the public disclosure of the last three years of tax returns by the President, Vice President and all major-party nominees running for those offices.
What do tax returns have to do with running for office? You and your Democratic cronies still haven’t gotten over not getting Trump’s tax returns.
But, it is a “Power Grab”
Mr. Casey expressed his disappointment that Senator Mitch McConnell called H.R.1. a “power grab.” Then, he defended that statement by saying that the For the People Act would “restore people’s faith that their government works in the public’s best interest, not for special interests.
This one-sided bill will not restore people’s faith that their government works in their best interest. Half of the country, including me, will feel disenfranchised knowing that we’re not being represented properly in Congress. If you want to restore my faith, make H.R.1. a truly bipartisan act. Mitch is right.
Newt Gingrich is a thoughtful, brilliant writer. He has a great understanding of the government and it’s inner workings. Please take a look at Newt’s assessment of H.R.1.
A Slam Bang Finish
He wraps up by mentioning his pride in sponsoring the Accessible Voting Act of 2020 to improve voter accessibility and remove barriers to voting for seniors and people with disabilities. He will continue to advocate for increased funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS) as they are “crucial to the future health of our democracy.” And, finally, he was a proud original co-sponsor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
I’m all for the Accessible Voting Act. Well done!
The United States Postal Service is a money pit. They keep getting more funding from the government despite gross mismanagement. Vote-by-mail further crippled them in the 2020 election. Although I appreciate everything the postal service does, it needs to be reformed to meet the demands of today’s marketplace. Saying that the postal service is crucial to the future health of our democracy is like saying that H.R.1. is crucial to the future health of the Republicans.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is a mirage. It will be used to achieve partisan political gains rather than prevent racial discrimination. The real aim is to reverse the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder and to give the political allies of Democrats control over state election rules. It is a dangerous bill that violates basic principles of federalism. This act was a warning shot for the coming H.R.1. bill.
My Final Comments
This canned, arrogant response is so typical of our representatives in Washington D.C. today. Long gone are the days when you could contact your representative and she/he would actually listen to what you say and respond accordingly. Today, you get the same response they send to everyone and they do whatever they want regardless of your concerns. I wonder if he ever saw my email. I seriously doubt it.
