To the Editor:
I sat watching the U.S. Senate vote on moving the H.R.1 Voting Rights bill to the floor in order that debate could begin for all to understand what was within it. From that knowledge not only would the senators understand all facets of the bill, but we, the people, could put aside what we have been hearing for weeks by various news pundits; right wing, left wing and middle as well as misinterpretations from online apps.
That particular vote was not for nor against what the bill stood for, but rather a time that our forefathers felt was necessary for all, legislators and voters, to gain knowledge of the particulars and come to an understanding of what the bill meant to our citizens regardless of color, creed or sexual orientation. This was only the first step for all of us to gain an understanding spelled out by the leaders we have voted into office.
Unfortunately, the vote to allow discussion of what it was about and perhaps where compromise may be possible failed because of one man who would not let his caucus vote to listen to the other side. That non vote was 50 Senators sitting on their hands and not doing the job that their oath of office and their constituents put them in office to do to enhance and/or protect our very tenuous democracy.
Remember that our democracy can easily go the way of others before us and take a stand to protect it by insisting that all our senators listen to others on the floor of the U.S. Senate and work to compromise or when a bill is truly not viable, vote no only after discussions have been allowed so that all will understand the issues; not the rumors, misinterpretations and lies that have worked their way as a norm in our society after all these years. God help these United States of America.
Cecile Bouchard
Village of Sabal Chase
