SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR U.S. HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE CONCERNING THE EXTENSION OF THE PATRIOT ACT
Rep. (YOUR REP.)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington D.C.
Re: Patriot Act extension legislation
Dear Rep. (YOUR REP.) :
PLEASE VOTE NO ON THE EXTENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE PATRIOT ACT COMING BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR VOTE NEXT WEEK! IT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE FREEDOMS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. The expiring provisions to be voted on deal with wiretaps, including roving wiretaps, and the seizure of customer records from businesses. The Patriot Act was approved after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. It gave law enforcement agencies unprecedented new powers to deal with terrorist threats. Many American citizens as well as some Democrats and conservative Republicans question whether the law goes too far. (ADD YOUR OWN CONCERNS) ALSO, I AND MY FELLOW CITIZENS DO NOT APPRECIATE LEGISLATION BEING PASSED WITH "VOICE VOTES"! WE SEE THIS AS A CONGRESSIONAL TRICK TO EVADE RESPONSIBILITY FOR VOTING ON POTENTIALLY CONTROVERSIAL BILLS. YOU ARE ACTING JUST LIKE THE CONTROLLING DEMOCRATS OF THE 111th CONGRESS WHEN YOU DO THIS, AND IT IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. ALL LEGISLATION THAT COMES BEFORE CONGRESS FOR VOTE SHOULD BE VOTED ON IN HONESTY, BY CONVENTIONAL ELECTRONIC VOTE AND ALL VOTES SHOULD BE RECORDED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD AND ON THE INTERNET FOR ALL TO SEE. ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, KEEP OUR REPRESENTATIVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR VOTING ACTIONS. FURTHERMORE, AMERICAN CITIZENS SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE WEEK'S NOTICE ON THE SCHEDULE OF ALL DEBATES AND VOTING OF ALL LEGISLATION COMING BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE. SCHEDULES SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL INTERESTED CITIZENS ON THE INTERNET AND IN PRINTED FORMAT. Resolutely, (YOUR NAME) Reply requested *********************************************************** MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! R.M. Rocky Montana