Today, I penned the following letter to my Democratic Senators, which was written after reading and obtaining inspiration from this article:

http://www.alternet.org/right-wing/democrats-should-block-gorsuch
Dear Ms. Murray/Cantwell,

I am writing to share my opinion and expectation that Mr. Gorsuch’s nomination must be resisted at every turn, including use of the filibuster. The Republicans have violated every political norm possible and, in fact, have stolen this nomination. Mitch McConnell wrote the new playbook for Republicans, resisting in the most extreme ways on every conceivable issue.

In normal times, it might make sense to compromise in reasonable ways at appropriate times in expectation of reciprocal compromise. McConnell, Ryan and Trump have made clear those rules no longer apply. There is zero reason to compromise with them. It will only demoralize your base (people like me) while making you look weak and ineffective to the mushy middle, to the extent they notice at all.

It’s clear that if Democrats were in the majority with a Democratic president, we would not be able to seat a liberal justice with the filibuster in place. Therefore, it makes sense to force the Republicans to kill it rather than waiting for another time when perhaps it will fall upon us.

If there were any rational reason to keep our powder dry and fight this battle another day, I’d be all for it. But at this point it is abundantly clear that the world in which that sort of strategy made sense is history. Failure to recognize that reality would serve merely as proof that so-called moderate Democrats are pathetic, ineffectual and hopeless.

If now, in this age of Trump and total obstruction from the right, is not the time for strong, principled stands, then when is? It is beyond imperative that you get this because Democrats standing up for democracy are our last line of defense against a man who would be all too happy to assume the role of dictator and a so-called “conservative” party that’s become so radical and nakedly driven by lust for power at all costs that they’ve shown themselves ever more willing to drop their mask and reveal their true sociopathic agenda.

In short, it is essential that you and all Democrats in the Senate stand in firm opposition to Mr. Gorsuch, including invocation of the filibuster.

Yours truly,
Roy Martin  

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