From The Left: Shame On You Senator Hoeven

Recently, 47 US Senators, including North Dakota’s own John Hoeven , wrote a letter “to the Leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran” explaining the US Constitution and the role of the President as compared to the role of the US Senate.

Many of my friends on the left are very upset at this, and they see this action as undercutting the authority of the President of the United States and many even see it as an act of treason.

I am not willing to take that leap. I personally am embarrassed that my US Senator was part of this act, because I think it was a political stunt, and it had nothing to do with national security.

[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#000000″ txt_color=”#ffffff”]In reality the letter was not written to the leaders of Iran, but rather to the funders of the Republican Party. Being against Obama and being big supporters of fear has been very good to the campaign coffers of Republican candidates.[/mks_pullquote]

First off, let’s address the letter. For all practical purposes, the letter was some sort of a Junior High civics lesson on US Senate letterhead.  The letter attempted to explain, according to the signers, the roll of the President and the roll of the US Senate in foreign affairs. The letter went as far as to explain that the US President is term limited to two terms, “whereas Senators may serve an unlimited number of 6-year terms.”  They also attempt to explain the difference between an “executive agreement”  and a treaty.

Because it is safe to assume the leaders of the worlds eighteenth largest economy are complete idiots and have never studied the US system of government before they began to enter into negotiations with our country.

In reality the letter was not written to the leaders of Iran, but rather to the funders of the Republican Party. Being against Obama and being big supporters of fear has been very good to the campaign coffers of Republican candidates.

If you want proof, look no further than the author of the letter, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who within 24 hours of writing the letter appeared  at an event with the National Defense Industrial Association, a lobbying and professional group for defense contractors. Cotton, who has said in the past that ISIS and Mexican drug cartels joining forces to attack Arkansas was an ‘urgent problem”, should not be taken seriously on national security measures.  Cotton has never found a cause he is not willing to commit US troops and resources to.

This may surprise many of you, but I don’t think Cotton is ignorant to national affairs.   I really don’t believe that he wants to commit US resources to every cause. However, he knows that his bread is buttered by the defense industry and he will continue to scratch its back at every opportunity.

He also knows that being seen as being a “tough guy” will help him appeal to the base of the Republican Party.

My question is why is John Hoeven involved in this issue?  Even as a Democrat, I understand that Hoeven is very popular in North Dakota. Yes, North Dakota has two US Air Force Bases; however, Hoeven does not need to bow down to the military industrial complex in order to ensurer reelection.  Being seen as a “tough guy” will not help him become more popular in North Dakota. Honestly, Hoeven’s popularity should put him above such childish and irresponsible things as this letter.

The bottom line is Hoeven’s agreement to be part of this letter is an embarrassment for my state. The US Senate should be above such silly things, and my US Senator should be above such things.

Shame on you Sen. Hoeven.