…and Republicans want to make sure we don’t miss it. I received this newsletter from my representative, Congressman Hayes. It prompted the following response:

Dear Congressman Hayes,

I just read your most recent newsletter in which you stated, “Speaker Pelosi decided to adjourn the House last week and send Congress home despite the fact this critical security authority had expired.” This is simply not true. Only the expanded powers have elapsed. Similar claims were made when the Protect America Act expired in February, even though provisions in that act continue for a year after its expiration.

I am severely disappointed that my representative would propagate a falsehood for the purpose of scoring political points. Worse yet, this biased spin uses the tactic of fear mongering! Though little power actually changes, your newsletter makes it sound as if we are somehow less safe now then last week.

The fight over FISA is part of a larger, ideological battle taking place in our government. The debate is over which liberties we, as a nation, are willing to sacrifice in order to achieve more security. Unfortunately, the reaction to 911 has been severely disproportional to the true threat. Americans are three thousand times more likely to be killed by firearms than by terrorists. Yet all of our restrictions on liberties have not been on firearms, but on fighting the small threat of terrorism. This is indefensible.

When it comes to whether I’m willing to give up my liberties for more security, I’m with Patric Henry, “Give me liberty, or give me death.” and with Benjamin Franklin, “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” I am truly saddened and concerned that Americans have lost sight of these ideals. You are in a position to help lead us back to those ideals. Please don’t take your responsibilities lightly.

What I look for (and often vote for) in political leaders is integrity and independent thought. By repeating the White House’s lies on this issue demonstrates that you have neither. More important, I look for decisions based on reason not emotion. Using fear to motivate your constituents to vote for you promotes the opposite.

You still have time to win my vote before November’s election. You will need to show some leadership and stop following the White House’s fear mongering lead. You will need to reassess the risks of terrorism and support legislation that is proportional to the true threat and start spending time, money and attention on bigger issues than terrorism.

Your Constituent,

sidfaiwu