I just called my senator, Arlen Specter, about his vote and comments on Samuel Alito.
Senator Specter said that Samuel Alito has convinced him that he believes that Roe is settled law. That seems to be a total fabrication, since Alito specifically said he would consider revisiting the Roe decision. I am unable to fathom where Specter gets that impression.
I called Senator Spector to voice my opinion.
As much as I wanted to scream through the phone, I'm proud that I remained respectful. Believe me, it was hard.
I told the assistant that as a longtime constituent, one who always voted for Specter as a pro-choice moderate Republican, I've now determined that he's selling women out. And not just women, all of us.
I said that as someone who went through an abortion before they were legal, I couldn't imagine women having to go through that in the future and the issue is of paramount importance to me. Frankly, no dog in today's US would or should have to be treated in that fashion.
Alito, even if he doesn't vote to overturn Roe, will certainly vote to limit access in myriad ways. As I put it to the assistant, what good is having Roe if only one woman in a thousand can get one? And that scenario is certainly possible, if not probable, with Alito on the bench.
As important as Roe is to me, there are equally important other reasons that Alito does not deserve confirmation. His view of presidential powers is clearly contrary to the constitution and the basis on which this country was founded. Forget about checks and balances, and three equal branches with Alito.
In addition, he clearly favors corporations and his ideologic cronies when deciding from the bench. This is not what the USSC should be used for. Whether from the right or left. But Alito especially seems to disdain ordinary Americans. Armando has done a fabulous job with his diaries on detailing Alito's decisions and views.
What I made absolutely clear to the assistant was that I feel Specter has accepted Roberts and Alito simply as a quid pro quo with the Republican heirarchy so he could retain the chairmanship when they wanted to remove him.
In the meantime, he's sold us all out. Not just women, but ordinary Americans. I'm irate, and I will not forgive him for this.