33 men and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH):
Posted on 07/16/2012 11:47:36 AM PDT by Hunton Peck
UPDATED 7/16/12: 4 additional senators have joined in opposition to LOST, including Mike Johanns (R-NE), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA). With 34 senators against the misguided treaty, LOST will not be ratified by the Senate this year.
Strong opposition is rising in the U.S. Senate to the U.N.'s Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST) that would subjugate American sovereignty to the whims of an international tribunal. To date, 30 Republican senators have signed onto a letter opposing LOST. It takes 67 votes to approve treaties in the Senate, so only 34 votes are needed to ensure defeat of this misguided treaty.
Why is LOST so harmful?
It would act as a backdoor Kyoto Protocol, forcing us into cap and trade policies that would destroy jobs and harm our economy. It would cost the U.S. trillions of dollars in international royalties to nations including state sponsors of terror like Sudan and “undemocratic, despotic or brutal governments in Belarus, Burma, China or Zimbabwe.” Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton warned it would embolden China, “constrain U.S. naval activities, and do nothing to resolve China's expansive maritime territorial claims.” Radical environmental groups have lined up in support of LOST. President Ronald Reagan strongly opposed the treaty as a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
Below is the text of the letter and the current list of senators who have joined in opposition. Senator DeMint is still working to collect more signatures.
The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Leader,
We understand that Chairman Kerry has renewed his efforts to pursue Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We are writing to let you know that we believe this Convention reflects political, economic, and ideological assumptions which are inconsistent with American values and sovereignty.
By its current terms, the Law of the Sea Convention encompasses economic and technology interests in the deep sea, redistribution of wealth from developed to undeveloped nations, freedom of navigation in the deep sea and exclusive economic zones which may impact maritime security, and environmental regulation over virtually all sources of pollution.
To effect the treaty’s broad regime of governance, we are particularly concerned that United States sovereignty could be subjugated in many areas to a supranational government that is chartered by the United Nations under the 1982 Convention. Further, we are troubled that compulsory dispute resolution could pertain to public and private activities including law enforcement, maritime security, business operations, and nonmilitary activities performed aboard military vessels.
If this treaty comes to the floor, we will oppose its ratification.
Sincerely yours,
Jon Kyl Jim Inhofe Roy Blunt Pat Roberts David Vitter Ron Johnson John Cornyn Jim DeMint Tom Coburn John Boozman Rand Paul Jim Risch Mike Lee Jeff Sessions Mike Crapo Orrin Hatch John Barrasso Richard Shelby John Thune Richard Burr Saxby Chambliss Dan Coats John Hoeven Roger Wicker Marco Rubio Jim Moran Dean Heller Pat Toomey Chuck Grassley Mitch McConnell
“I swear, American Revolution Pt II is NOT that far away.”
You cock the cannons again, and I’ll lead the fire teams......
“The House and Senate are designed to be closer to the representation of voters of this country...”
Actually the House is the body with a popular bent and I’d say it’s close to being that way as it is now.
The Senate is more problematic, supposed to represent the state’s interests, with a longer, more deliberative viewpoint. Right now it’s a little shy of Conservatives and led by a criminal majority leader Harry Reid with a half wit President in Joe Biden..... Nov.2012/Jan2013 can’t come soon enough.......
“Lugar blew a 40 year career over support for crap like this.”
Therein lies the core of the problem......”legislator,” “Senator,” or “Representitive,” or “Congressional aide” should never be a career choice/option. We’d be a lot better off with 535+ Joe the Plumbers in the Senate that go back to fixing toilets after a few years service to the nation, than what we have now....The DC commode is overflowing.....2012 should be the year of the plunger!
Right now we have a bunch of fools that don’t know that S**t flows downhill, bite their nails, and think every waking moment is payday.
33 men and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH):
“I’ll offer some comments...
Our States lose representation.”
Mr Philman, you have stated the case accurately and succinctly in your post. Thank you!
Go Ayotte!
“She was more of a man than any of them.”
My thanks for your comments.
Dictator Obama can issue any dictate that he wants to because he KNOWS that there is not a RINO in Congress who will dare to Impeach him.
Let the bidding begin.
“And as far as Senators being elected by the populace...how do you like your Senator being nothing more than a highly glorified Representative?”
I understand what you are saying and I do believe that Senators are better served by being chosen by the States rather than popular vote.
However, the earlier post stated flatly that this moves the Senate AWAY from the people’s representation. Seems it does the opposite.
Your concerns, then, are not with me.
I was simply offering some comments.
Perhaps the poster simply didn't express themselves in a proper manner and it created confusion.
Did you not read the amended reply at @36? You were in the "To" list.
Yes I do understand. Just wanted to ensure I learned what the issue was, which is allowing a body of elected representatives to select a Senator is better than electing that person directly.
Sounds funny, but so does an electoral college for President, and I dearly support keeping that as well.
All the U.S. senators should oppose LOST, and the Republican senators, who don’t, should be primaried out.
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