The "Super Congress"

[MrBogosity]

I just sent the following letter to my representatives using DownsizeDC.org's Educate the Powerful system here (feel free to copy from this for your own letter):

I am opposed to the new so-called "Super Congress" and everything that it does. The members will be selected by people that neither I nor most voters in the country will be able to vote out of office, undermining the very notion of a representative democracy. Moreover, Congress--the people who are supposed to represent me and all other American citizens--will be unable to amend or even debate the proposals coming out of this body.

This is an unacceptable abrogation of our Constitution. Sections 1 and 2 of Article I specify that all legislative powers are vested in Congress and Congress alone, and that this Congress shall be apportioned according to the population. Moreover, the Doctrine of Nondelegation clearly prohibits Congress from delegating its authority to legislate, even to a committee of its own members.

I ask that you immediately protest and vote against every single proposal coming out of this Super Congress. If that means that otherwise-worthwhile legislation gets delayed, so be it. You are sworn not only to uphold the Constitution, but to represent your constituents. As such, in order to do your duty to the Constitution and to us, you must oppose this dictatorship by committee, which is similar in structure to the Soviet Union's Central Committee.

If you don't, if you vote for ANYTHING this Super Congress proposes or support it in any way, I will consider you as having abdicated your representation of me, and will vote accordingly in the next election.

[AnCap Dave]

Sent it to my representatives. I'm sure they won't listen, but I figure it would be a good idea to send it anyway.

[Gumba Masta]

Is abrogation a real world?

[MrBogosity]

Yes:

abrogation

English

Etymology
From Latin abrogatio, from abrogare: compare French abrogation or abroger

Pronunciation
Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Noun

abrogation (plural abrogations)
    The act of abrogating; a repeal by authority.

[Gumba Masta]

What are the chances that your average representetive knows what that means without looking up a dictionary?

[AnCap Dave]

Believe it or not, one of the Connecticut Senators sent me a response letter. I just checked my email and found this by Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Dear Mr. Turcotte,

Thank you for your thoughtful message regarding the federal debt ceiling.  I appreciate hearing from you.

Our current level of spending is unsustainable and unacceptable.  A recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows that billions of taxpayer dollars are squandered every year due to waste and duplication in the federal government. We must work to eliminate all unnecessary expenditures, and stop fraud and abuse in government programs. In spending cuts, indeed all fiscal decisions, the priority should be job creation and economic growth, reducing the deficit and debt without damage to economic recovery or our most vulnerable citizens.

As you may know, the federal government has a debt ceiling, which limits the amount the U.S. can borrow. If the government surpasses the debt limit, it cannot pay for past obligations or ongoing day-to-day responsibilities.  On August 2nd, the last day before the Treasury was scheduled to default, the Senate passed, and the President signed into law, legislation that extends the debt ceiling through early 2013. Thankfully, there will be no default on our financial obligations.

I was deeply disappointed and frustrated with some of the political theatrics and gridlock recently experienced in Washington. While this deal is far from perfect, defaulting on our obligations for the first time in history would have been catastrophic to job creation and our fragile economic recovery. It would also have resulted in higher interest rates, raising costs to every American with a mortgage, student debt, car loan, or credit card and essentially acts as a de facto tax on all Americans.  For those reasons, I voted in favor of the debt limit compromise when it was considered by the Senate.

As Congress continues to debate how best to reduce spending and raise revenue, through a prudent and balanced approach, I will certainly keep your views in mind.  Thank you again for your message.  Please feel free to contact me in the future with any additional questions or concerns.


Sincerely,

Richard Blumenthal
United States Senate

I feel like this was probably a response he had saved in case certain key words were sent to him in emails such as "debt ceiling." He really didn't address the "super congress" at all either.