Dear CongressCritter:

I am writing today to encourage you to follow the five-point plan laid out by former Vice President Gore in his Monday speech. Specifically, I am requesting you call for a Special Counsel to be appointed to independently investigate alleged illegal activities by the Executive Branch of the United States Government.

These activities, which President Bush has admitted to and enthusiastically defended, should raise a number of red flags. First of all, these are powers that directly contradict the statutes passed by the United States Congress. If the President's powers go unchallenged, it sets a precedent that any president may selectively ignore the law; it also turns Congress into an ineffective body. I daresay that the "unitary executive" is far more harmful to the powers of Congress than the "activist judiciary." A judiciary can sometimes say laws are wrong; but what of a president who can say laws don't apply to him?

I know that as a Republican, you have stood for the limited power of government. Even though I consider myself a fairly liberal Democrat, in this case I agree completely with your position. We must think about how strong we want our government to be and the potential for abuse of power that makes this a practice to address now, not later.

If a Special Counsel is appointed by the Department of Justice, I expect him or her to follow the truth wherever it leads. If the Special Counsel cannot find adequate proof of illegal activity (a videotaped confession notwithstanding), then let him or her conclude thus. But even if you are sure of the answer, the question should be asked. If your constituents are asking, then as their representative you should ask as well. This should be investigated.

Many who agree with the President's decision to wiretap American citizens have argued that those who oppose it "must have something to hide." I propose to you that if the President refuses to assist a Special Counsel, he too "must have something to hide." Moreover, if you oppose the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate, then you may very well "have something to hide" yourself. And I guarantee this will not be the last time you hear as much.

I thank you for your time and attention today. Thank you very much,

Your Constituent

and more polite than mine to my conman. I reminded him his oath of office was to the Constitution.