A Senator’s Purpose
Krysten Sinema
You wring your hands in disappointment that the Republicans in the Senate are blocking the foundational power of our democracy; the vote and will of every citizen. Congress passes “messages” back in forth, bound in red tape bureaucracy creating an illusion of complexity too critical to undo. Its purpose is grave. We must protect the integrity of this body. Is that it?
You may be so arrogant, that you think you know what your duty is meant to be in the Senate. You might also just be so corrupted that your agenda is stained with blood money and self-interest. I seriously hope not. I supported you when you ran for the Senate. So far, you have been one of my biggest disappointments, in the past few years. While it may be in vain, I hope that someone can reach you. Consider the weight of what you are doing, as Republicans aggressively seek to suppress voting in America. This country was founded on the one true principle that this country be by the people, not the few.
Some believe this chamber of Congress is too corrupted and broken to fix. I believe two chambers of our legislative branch have a purpose. They are meant to encourage balancing the interests of the people, across this great country. Members of the House, proportionally represent the interests of their districts and progress the alignment of those with the interests of all Americans at the federal level of our government.
The two Senators from each state meant are to collaborate with the members of Congress in their state on state interests, and with both chambers to build on how we can all help each other. But what is it we will help each other do? Will we build roads and bridges? Will we educate our children and pay our teachers? Will we ensure that all citizens have equity in response from first responders and our government? Will we ensure that the civil and constitutional rights of our citizens are protected first, foremost, and always? What else is there to ensure, but the principle power of the people to be served in our democracy?
“Between January 1 and September 27, at least 19 states enacted 33 laws that make it harder for Americans to vote.”
(https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-october-2021)
You are not just a Senator from Arizona. You are a United States Senator. You have a duty to be aware of the egregious nature of voter suppression in this country. The filibuster is not more important than the right the vote. The right to vote is in the constitution. The filibuster is not.
You must pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. It is in bad faith to suggest you can merely point at Republicans. You either know they don’t want Americans to vote, because they know the majority of this country prefers Democratic policies or your concerns are corrupted. People have a foundational right to transparency and accountability from their government.
It’s time for the Senate to check themselves, and ensure that this chamber delivers on the promise of American democracy for the American people. Of all the complexity that the Senate may have the purpose of a Senator is paramount. The power entrusted to a United States Senator is like a drug. Not like life-saving insulin, but a power that gives one citizen power over the many. It is up to the integrity, ethics, and morals of the Senator to do the right thing and serve the people. If you don’t do what is in the peoples’ interest, then what are we to conclude? All I see is a Senator who has lost their purpose, and that is not something that can be fixed.
We the people deserve better.
Signed,
An American Citizen
