by Digger Barr
https://gaiasgardens.guru/
How the system currently works is demonstrated in an action I recently took as a registered voter.
I wrote a letter to both WA State senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.
I was looking to provide support for RFK Jr. on his confirmation hearing to be the new secretary of HHS.
I wrote that as a registered voter, I would like the senators of our state to provide their vote to secure Roberts confirmation.
I had the good fortune to receive a letter in response from Patty Murray’s office.
I have included that letter here.
Dear Deanna,
Thank you for contacting me regarding President Donald Trump’s nominees for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.
I consider the responsibility to evaluate and vote on presidential Cabinet nominees to be one of my most important duties as a United States senator. I evaluate each individual and examine their record to ensure they meet my long-held standards regarding their ethics, honesty, and substantive experience. Whether in committee or on the Senate floor, I ask tough questions about how each nominee plans to move our country forward, to make it more just and inclusive, and to fight for the middle class and working families.
With regard to President Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. to be Secretary of HHS, I have serious concerns about his record and his capability to take on a key leadership position. HHS is one of the largest departments in the executive branch, which makes the Secretary of HHS a crucial role. This position includes overseeing our nation’s public health agencies, regulation of food and drugs, health care coverage and affordability, biomedical research and innovation, and so many more important agencies that affect the lives of all Americans. It is my utmost priority to ensure that access to evidence-based health care remains at the forefront.
RFK Jr.’s views are particularly worrisome to me when it comes to things like vaccines. We need a leader who will uphold the centuries-long scientific research and maintain access, rather than undermining safety and efficacy. This is especially important for children, who are vulnerable and susceptible to many of these life-threatening illnesses and need immunizations to protect against them. I do not believe it is too much to ask that the HHS Secretary believes not only in access to safe and healthy food, but also that vaccines are safe and effective. I strongly oppose his nomination and I laid out much of my thinking in a floor speech you can watch or read here.
I also have serious concerns about President Trump’s other nominees for HHS leadership positions due to their lack of qualifications and their extreme views on reproductive rights, which are not aligned with the American people. While the president has a right to nominate candidates of his choice, the Senate is not meant to be a rubber stamp. I will be exercising my duty as a senator to question all nominees about their qualifications and their on-the-record opinions that I believe to be dangerous.
It is important to me that people like you throughout Washington state and across the country are making your voices heard, and I will keep your views in mind when making my final decision on each individual HHS nominee and whether they represent the values of Washington state. Please don’t hesitate to reach out again to express your views on any issue, or if I may be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
I took the opportunity to reply to that letter only to have my response come back to me undelivered.
And this is how the system works.
They say they represent us. Some of them actually placate us with a reply. But there is no actual discussion.
How are we to be represented when they do not have time to hear our hearts?
As you can read in the letter Murray has already made her decision even before asking any questions of the candidate.
Wouldn’t it be a representative’s job to maintain an open mind, ask the questions for the constituents and then consider the answers to make an informed decision held by those constituents of thatstate ?
Why do we even have confirmation hearings?
My ideas may be pie in the sky. But they shouldn’t be considered naive.
We need to break the chains of our toxic political hegemony.
We need to let the representative know they are accountable.
My response was returned Mail delivery subsystem: address not found.
Thank you Senator Murray for your response.
I appreciate your time and will be brief.
To be clear, it is not your responsibility to judge what the people want. It is up to you to relay what we ask of you.
I believe in the way that Robert Kennedy has revealed information as truthful.
I believe in his ideas of health and wellness.
What is worrisome to me is your lack of understanding that the vaccines are not vaccines.
They have caused extreme harm.
Your position is to represent the people.
Not to make judgments on how we take care of our health.
That is our personal choice to decide.
Thank you for your reconsideration on this matter.
Sincerely
DB
Murray has been in office for almost over 30 yrs.
I don’t see how this is possible.
Time to go.