Downsizer-Dispatch (July 2, 2008)

Quote of the Day:

“A fondness for power is implanted in most men, and it is natural to abuse it when acquired.”
—Alexander Hamilton (Source: "The Farmer Refuted," February 23, 1775)

Subject: Push the lever.

To do a lot with a little, find a lever and push it. In the fight to defeat warrantless spying, the mind of Barack Obama is that lever. We need to push on his mind, a lot, before Congress returns to work early next week.

We’re not alone in thinking so. Barack Obama’s volunteers think so too, and many of them have organized specifically for the purpose of pressuring their candidate to oppose warrantless spying and telecom immunity.

This new protest group inside Obama’s campaign launched last week with the title “Senator Obama Please Vote NO on Telecom Immunity – Get FISA Right.” By Sunday it was the largest group of its kind on the Internet.

Barack Obama is facing a revolt among his own supporters over this issue. We need to pour fuel on this growing fire.

There’s still time. Mr. Obama can, during the next seven days, “Read the Bill” (a novel idea), and then announce, based on that research, that he’s changed his mind. After all, candidate Obama has promised Americans “Change we can believe in.” Now is a good time to prove that he really means it.

If Mr. Obama opposes the “FISA Amendments Act” AND takes a leading role in the filibuster, then his Democratic colleagues in the Senate are likely to follow him in this election year. And Obama would probably energize his base of support too. On the other hand, if Obama caves in to the status quo on this issue, then the Senate Democrats will as well, and the bill will pass.

Please keep sending messages to candidate Obama. Tell him to lead the Democrats in opposing and defeating the “FISA Amendments Act.” We've created an interface with his campaign site that you can use for this purpose.

The DC Downsizer Army is leading the way on this issue, and we have plenty of allies. Thank you for being a part of it.

Please also make a contribution to further our work. You can do so here.

Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.