And then there was this on Tuesday on the Senate floor, as calmly spoken by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)…
“So with that, I’m going to sign the pledge. It says here:
‘Pledge to Return to Era of Bipartisan Cooperation and Agreement
In order to restore civility to the United States Senate and our political discourse, we must pledge to return to an era of bipartisan cooperation and agreement.
I, Joe Manchin (signing his name), pledge to the people of West Virginia (the state Manchin has been elected to represent) and to the American people that I will:
Not campaign against a sitting colleague.
2) Not directly fundraise against them.
3) Not distribute direct mail against them.
4) Not appear or endorse any advertisements directed at them.
5) Not use or endorse social media campaign that attacks them.
I would hope that each one of you all would consider this.
I think we have to take this into our own hands right now, and make sure that we look at each other — we look at each other with sincerity.
You’re my friend.
We might disagree but we can work through this.
We can work through this, Mr. President.
We can definitely work through this — and remember our purpose in being here.
The people want us to succeed. They depend on us to succeed. And that’s the policies that they need… whether it be in Indiana, South Dakota, West Virginia, they all want the same. They want America to be the hope of the world.’”
How many of us would encourage our representatives to follow the lead of Sen. Manchin?
How many of us would not?
Let me also ask:
How many of us want to be part of the solution?
… or the problem?
Thank you, Joe Manchin III.
Please keep talking; please do not be silent.
Respectfully…
AR