An Open Letter to the Coward Cory Gardner, Part 3

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Dear Senator Gardner,

I am writing to you today to tell you how very divorced from reality you appear to be when it comes to the social contract, the moral code that should guide us all as members of our society, and your role in leading this country forward instead of into a state of unserious "also-rans."

1. The Social Contract
"Social contract arguments typically posit that individuals have consented, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the ruler or magistrate (or to the decision of a majority), in exchange for protection of their remaining rights. The question of the relation between natural and legal rights, therefore, is often an aspect of social contract theory."
Given this description, I think it should be fairly obvious that your constituents have engaged in a social contract with the government, and with their fellow citizens. Please pay close attention to the part where people agree to "the decision of the majority." The MAJORITY of people in this country want to keep the ACA. The MAJORITY of people in this country do not want 22 million people to be thrown off their health plans. The MAJORITY of people in this country don't want to see poor children or seniors being denied basic services based on their ability to pay. The MINORITY, i.e., CIS, white, Republican, so-called "Christian" males with obligations and ties to the rich do want this bill passed. Who do you represent in this instance? What are you obligations under the social contract? Because I think you are confused on this point. Hint: Your obligation is not to your Party or your campaign donators.

2. The Moral Code

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I hear again and again and again how Republicans consider the United States a "Christian country" (we're not), how our "exceptionalism" comes from God (it doesn't), and how we all have this invisible obligation to do it Jesus' way (we don't). But let's assume for a moment that all those things are true, or at least you believe that all those things are true.

Given these value statements, how can you possibly embrace a piece of legislation that condemns people to sickness and death when there's a perfectly acceptable alternative, just to accommodate the desire of the richest Americans to reduce their taxes?  We're talking about people's health, their lives, their ability to make a living and be contributing members of society. By your own actions, you're embracing these negative consequences for those who are the "least among us" in order to help the money changers at the Temple. Where I was raised, this is called "hypocrisy," and "lip service." Either live your values or shut the hell up about them.

3. Your Leadership Role

We live in a representative democracy. The Federalist Papers devote a great many words to what that means in the United States, and the responsibility of those elected officials who serve. Perhaps you're read about it as part of your legal training.

Given your role, and the responsibility that comes with that role, I would never encourage you to vote against your conscience. This is why members of Congress are elected - to examine issues and legislation and then do what they think is the best thing for our nation and for the constituency. My question is of another caliber entirely: How, exactly, do you morally justify creating and then voting for the Republican Health Care Bill? I don't want to hear about the economy, or your Republican masters, or your rich sponsors. I want to know EXACTLY what the moral justification is for forcing 22 million people off of their health insurance so that the rich can increase the divide between them and the rest of of us.

The answer to this question will tell the world everything they need to know about you as a human being and as a politician. Is this why you won't answer it?

Want to know why I think you won't answer? Because according to BallotPedia, you're a "rank and file Republican," i.e., someone who never goes against their party, regardless of the issue at hand. You vote the way your party masters tell you to vote, not out of any moral conviction. And because that's the case, you CAN'T morally justify your support of the Bill. The Bill is immoral and unjustifiable except in a "I can't wait to lick the boots of my Republican/Corporate Masters" kind of way, and no one wants to come right out and say THAT.

And that's why you're The Coward Cory Gardner. You wouldn't take a stand you weren't ordered to take if your life depended on it. And you won't now even though other people's lives depend on it.

Way to lead, Senator. Our forefathers must be so proud.

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