In Letter to Bush, NCJW Cites Domestic, Civil Liberties Concerns

January 28, 2008, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today released a letter from NCJW President Phyllis Snyder to President George W. Bush prior to his State of the Union address, expressing gratitude for progress in the Middle East peace process and concern for the state of the nation. Ms. Snyder singled out three high priority domestic concerns: establishing economic justice and opportunity for all; providing health care for the millions of Americans who currently go without; and restoring the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the US Constitution. Parts of the letter follow:

"A floundering economy, 47 million uninsured Americans, and the ongoing erosion of individual rights and liberties are disappointing examples of how domestic priorities have been ignored for far too long....The social safety-net that was created to protect Americans in slow economic times has been chronically underfunded. The result is that there are now fewer resources to distribute among the growing population of poor and near-poor families....while billions of dollars have been spent to fund the failed war in Iraq.

"Working Americans have waited far too long for a living wage and all people must be protected from pay discrimination. We hope that you will urge Congress to pass a wage increase that realistically reflects the strains on a working family's budget and to act quickly on the Fair Pay Restoration Act (S 1843), legislation that would reverse the US Supreme Court decision that rolled back pay discrimination protections.

"...Recent estimates show the number of uninsured Americans at 47 million, of which approximately 10 million are children....I urge you not to stand in the way of a critical reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Instead, make the program a priority by providing adequate funds for states to cover the 10 million uninsured American children."

Snyder added that NCJW is "deeply troubled by the way [this] administration has prioritized security over the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the US Constitution," stating that:

"While we share your commitment to national security, we also know that security without freedom betrays the spirit of our democracy.... NCJW is committed to seeing Congress pass a reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that protects our civil liberties. A strong FISA reauthorization will demand warrants, restore the constitutional check on presidential power, and hold telecommunication companies accountable. Further, we will work to see habeas corpus and due process restored via the Restoring the Constitution Act (HR 1415/S 576) and the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (HR 1416/S 185)."

Snyder concluded by calling upon the President to use his last year to leave a positive legacy:

"There is still time to reinvest in domestic programs to ensure that all Americans have the economic opportunities necessary to fulfill the American Dream. There is still time to make a commitment to a health care system that works for everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us: children. Finally, there is still time to make clear your respect for the civil rights and liberties that make this country great. As you address Congress and the American public on January 28th and throughout your final year in office, I hope you will place these critical issues at center stage."

NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.

Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org