I am a Constitution voter

* I believe that no one — including the President — is above the law.
* I oppose all forms of torture, and I support both closing the Guantánamo Bay prison and ending indefinite detention.
* I oppose warrantless spying.
* I believe that government officials, no matter how high-ranking, should be held accountable for breaking the law and violating the Constitution.
* I believe that the Constitution protects every person’s rights equally — no matter what they believe, how they live, where or if they worship, and whom they love.
* I reject the notion that we have to tolerate violations of our most fundamental rights in the name of fighting terrorism.
* I am deeply committed to the Constitution and expect our country’s leaders to share and act on that commitment — every day, without fail.

The ACLU has started a new campaign, “I am a Constitution voter” to be launched on Sept. 17, Constitution Day. Their goal is to get 200,000 signatures by Oct. 15.  Purpose: “We need to let our leaders know that when we step into the ballot box the Constitution will be the first thing on our minds.”

I signed and encourage readers to join me. Here’s the email with links and the spiel.

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From the Desk of Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director, ACLU
Let candidates know that you are a Constitution Voter

and get your free bumper sticker today.
http://action.aclu.org/bumper_sticker
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Dear ACLU Supporter,

You can’t ignore the Constitution.

For eight years now, that’s what we’ve been telling the Bush administration with every lawsuit we’ve filed . . . every illegal act we’ve exposed . . . every dangerous piece of legislation we’ve challenged.

And now, we’ve got to deliver that same “You can’t ignore the Constitution” message to every candidate running for office in 2008.

The ACLU has come up with a powerful way to make it clear that, for millions of voters all across America, there is nothing more important than protecting the Constitution.

Sign the ACLU’s “I Am a Constitution Voter” pledge and get your free  bumper sticker now. http://action.aclu.org/bumper_sticker

American voters are being buried in a blizzard of speeches, TV ads, emails and phone calls from political candidates. But are they talking about the issues that matter to you?

They’re not debating how quickly to close down Guantánamo and how to do it right. Who will act with energy and conviction to restore our lost liberties? Who will put their foot down to end torture? Who will hold accountable those who condoned illegal activities?

Well, it’s time to introduce a new kind of voter to the political lexicon. And it’s time to focus the candidates seeking our votes and the media covering these elections on some fundamental issues involving core American principles.

Sign the ACLU’s “I Am a Constitution Voter” pledge and get your free bumper sticker right now. http://action.aclu.org/bumper_sticker

On September 17th — Constitution Day — the ACLU will officially launch our “I Am a Constitution Voter” campaign.

Our Goal: To make sure that candidates running for office and media outlets covering their campaigns know that there are millions of voters who care deeply about protecting the Constitution and defending the Bill of Rights.

Our Strategy: If we want politicians and the media to focus on protecting the Constitution after the elections, we’ve got to get them to discuss our fundamental freedoms before the elections.

You can help set the stage for our “I Am a Constitution Voter” campaign.

Sign the ACLU’s “I Am a Constitution Voter” pledge and get your free bumper sticker right now. http://action.aclu.org/bumper_sticker

We’ll be telling you about lots of other ways in which the ACLU is going to make sure the future of our fundamental freedoms is at the center of the debate in the weeks ahead.

But, it all starts with you and other ACLU supporters stepping forward to declare: “I Am a Constitution Voter.”

Let us hear from you. Better still, let them hear from you. Act right now.In defense of freedom,

Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director
ACLU