An Open Letter To Senator Martinez

Written by: jody finver on Sep 28, 2007 5:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM)

Recently, I called Senator Martinez's office to discuss his opinion on the Petraeus Report. It was a back and forth exchange with his staffer about what qualified a body count, how the Senator could think the present strategy was working, and concluded with an admission she probably regretted making. Yet, she made it. Twice.

I wish I had the conversation taped. That flippant response and the lack of thinking that went into it represents the Senator and how he views "we the people. Me the people."

When I saw the photos on his website of him and Petraeus, I guess I snapped. And this letter came to be. I read it to the President of DFAM and she said send it out as an Op-Ed which I did.. We'll see if anyone picks it up. At any rate... here it is...

Senator Martinez,

I think it is high time that someone defined the function of your job as Senator of the United States from the State of Florida. (Senator Nelson you could stand to take a lesson here as well so pay attention. Close attention.)

Your job is to represent the will of the people, the will of your constituents, the will of the voting public. Your job is to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Technically, I am your boss. You work for me.

You do not work for the President. In fact, your job is to keep him in line and in check. You do not work for a political party. You work for the citizens of your State. Even the ones who don't have a right to vote or are not old enough.

Your performance thus far as my employee has been woefully lacking. Not only do you not listen, it appears that you do not care the slightest for the voting citizens back home.

If you did, you would stop hiding behind rhetoric and talking points and you would stop perpetuating flat out lies. You would fight tooth and nail to restore the Constitution. A Constitution that your parents prayed to be protected by and believed in so fiercely they sent you here for a better life.

Instead, you have turned your back on Floridians who want Habeas Corpus restored, Floridians that know the real body count in Iraq, Floridians who care more about our troops than your voting record reflects, Floridians that risked their lives for a Freedom you are not fighting to protect.

I honestly don't think you consider the will of the people Mr. Senator. I think you are more concerned with raising money and raising fear. In fact, when I called your office about the Petraeus Report and asked your staffer if you were OK with lying to the American public as long as it served the needs of this Administration she said, "Yes."  And I asked it twice.

Stop turning your back on the Constitution. Stop turning your back on the will of the people you are supposed to represent. Stop turning your back on our burned-out troops. And stop turning your back on the millions of Iraqi lives this country is responsible for taking.

The fact that the Senate wasted so much time over a print advertisement in the New York Times is infuriating. Shame on you all.

This is not what I am paying you for. Stop wasting my money, my time and my freedom.

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