Sen. Cruz's (Texas) Newsletter

Open email to Sen. Cruz (Texas):

Dear Sen. Cruz,
    Thank you for your Fourth of July good wishes, and your comments on the business of the Federal Senate. I extend the same independence day good wishes to you and your family, and make a few comments on the Federal Senate business, which is certainly an appropriate topic of consideration on this anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Abortion    The recent upheaval in the Texas State Senate on the subject of abortion is completely unnecessary. There is a very simple solution. Any woman who doesn't want to bear children has the right to do so, and this is accomplished by not getting pregnant. There are many techniques available to practice sexual activities, while also protecting against conception. Once conception is accomplished, a woman forgoes her total individual rights, and assumes a half interest, while the unborn child assumes the other half interest. Except in the matter of rape, any woman has a right, and an opportunity to become pregnant or not. It is her choice, and none of the subsequent discussion on abortion changes any of that.

State Department Inspector General     Congratulations on your efforts to have Pres. Obama appoint a State Department Inspector General. Presumably, the intent is that with the appointment of an Inspector General, State Department activities can be better audited to the advantage of Congress and the public.    While this is certainly a step in the right direction, as opposed to continuing to leave the office of Inspector General vacant, it does not seem to me to be an ideal approach. I see the problem as being somewhat consistent with most activities of Congress, wherein a law is passed and then the President has an option to enforce it in a manner he wishes. Let's remember that if the President appoints a State Department Inspector General, that person will be beholden to the President for giving him the job, with its ancillary benefits of money and power. A natural human reaction is to show appreciation to the supplier and help him in all endeavors, whether right or wrong.

Federal Debt Ceiling    Congratulations also on your continued fight to disallow the Senate to vote for a federal debt ceiling increase with a simple majority [51 votes], rather than the existing procedure of 60 votes. The present federal debt is a disgrace to the country and particularly to the Congress and the Presidents who have perpetrated it. They have done this by collectively abusing their elected power for the purpose of retaining the power; the good of the country notwithstanding. It is unfortunate that we do not have more members of Congress with integrity and statesmanlike approach to their jobs, such as you are demonstrating.

Immigration Bill    Unfortunately, the Senate has passed an Immigration Bill, which you have already pointed out contains at least a half dozen flaws. The probable good news is that the House will have its own ideas on a proper Immigration Bill, which will be closer to what is actually needed. In any event, there will be subsequent negotiations between the House and the Senate to resolve differences, and I strongly encourage you to play a very active part in those negotiations. From what I can see you are one of the few people who has his head screwed on right with respect to the total immigration problem.