Subj : Republican Obstructionism
To   : All
From : Lee Lofaso
Date : Sun Feb 14 2016 03:47 am

Hello Everybody,

Before Antonin Scalia's body was cold, Republicans had already
begun shirking their Constitutional responsibilities, stating their
refusal to confirm any new Justice nominated by President Obama -

"The American people should have a voice in the selection of
their next Supreme Court Justice.  Therefore, this vacancy should
not be filled until we have a new [Republican] President."
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Never mind the fact that Justice Antonin Scalia was one of the gang
of five who had appointed George W. Bush as pResident in Bush v Gore.
The vote of the American people did not count in that election.  And
neither did the vote of the electoral college.  Only the votes of
those justices sitting on the US Supreme Court counted for anything.

"What is less than zero?  The chances of Obama successfully
appointing a Supreme Court Justice to replace Scalia."
- Conn Carroll, spokesman for Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who sits
on the Judiciary Committee

"Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, and the
nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next [Republican] President
names his replacement."
- Ted Cruz (R-TX), candidate for president

Marco Rubio, another Republican candidate for president, echoed
the same sentiments as Cruz, saying he wanted the "next [Republican]
president" to nominate a Scalia replacement.

The President has a Constitutional duty and responsibility to fulfill.
President Obama has publicly stated his intention to carry out that
Constitutional responsibility, and nominate a new justice for the
Supreme Court in due time.  It will not be a long wait, as I fully
expect that nomination to come before the end of this month.

The Senate has a Constitutional duty and responsibility to fill
vacancies in a timely manner, which means as soon as possible.

The President and the Senate owe this to the American people.
They work for us, the American people.  Not the other way around.

But it seems the Republican leadership of the Senate has forgotten
all about that.  Responsibility means nothing to them.  All they want
is power.  Power for themselves - to do with as they want.

Shirking Constitutional duties and responsibilities is cowardice.

Kenny Rogers was right -

Ted Cruz is the coward of the county.
Marco Rubio is the coward of the county.
Mike Lee is the coward of the county.
Mitch McConnell is the coward of the county.
Every Republican Senator who shirks his/her
duty is the coward of the county.

--Lee

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