We Voted for You

More than two years ago, you asked your fellow Americans to join with you for a redaction of the status quo. You asked that we grasp the belief of change. You assured us that we no longer would have to endure the corruption, greed and scandals that have plagued the United States of America over many years. You expressed confidence in equality and fairness. We trusted your message and your team and joined you with a historic election and turnout. We voted for you.

In the past few years we have learned that in the name of the United States of America, Federal Laws, International Laws & Treaties and the Geneva Convention may have been violated. This included extreme interrogation techniques and other forms of torture. We voted for you to not only bring about the change that was needed to stop these horrific acts, but to bring accountability to those who attempted to circumvent the law, regardless of status, position or income.

In December 2004 you were quoted in the New York Times as saying “The secret authorization of brutal interrogations is an outrageous betrayal of our core values, and a grave danger to our security... When I am president we won't work in secret to avoid honoring our laws and Constitution, we will be straight with the American people and true to our values”.

Unfortunately, it appears that you may have decided to follow an anodyne route. Safer politically. Calculated so that your well needed agenda would not become stalled or overshadowed by this collective “looking back”. However, we contend that we can do both. We can continue to support your agenda and stand up to opposition or media focus that attempts to create a diversion from your policy.

When we voted for you in November we voted for the ideals that when a wrong doing is revealed - regardless of economic status or appointments -full investigations would occur not only to avoid these issues in the future, but for punitive measures to those who may have violated the law. We voted for fairness. We voted for you.

We would ask that you reconsider your position on the torture investigations and speak loudly from the White House declaring a need for such investigations and to stand with us in this shameful and embarrassing time for the United States of America. We ask that as you continue to direct the Department of Justice to conduct such investigations, that an appointment of an independent investigator be also made to determine the gravity and scope of the torture program.

Mr. President, in your first impressive 100 days we have stood behind you, along side of you and many have followed the advice that you have given. We will continue to give our patience in the economic matters, trusting that you will guide us from the terrible mess that was left on your desk. We trust that you will deliver us an affordable health care program for all and an education system that will surmount any other model. However; we are now asking that you stand by us. To fulfill the obligations as our representative and to not only implement formal investigations, but speak loudly in your support. Doing so, we will remember in the years to come why we voted for you.

 Thank you for your consideration.