An Open Letter to Senators McDowell, Henry, Marshall & Bushweller
Dear Senators:
The Delaware State Senate and, in particular, the Senate Democratic Caucus must decide whether it is in the best interest of the legislative body and the citizens you represent to retain or replace Sen. Anthony J. DeLuca as President Pro-Tempore.
While you each voted for his retention when the State Senate initially convened in December of 2010, the recent series of articles in the Wilmington News-Journal raise new questions concerning his mandate to lead.
I wish to point out to each of you a compelling reason to consider a change in your respective positions. All four of you serve in districts with large minority populations. The articles in the News-Journal reveal that Sen. DeLuca has either ‘slow-walked’, or brought a halt to, investigations into anti-discrimination complaints and/or civil rights complaints. Investigating these complaints is a significant portion of his responsibility, one which he is either unwilling or incapable of carrying out. Do you really want to go into an election cycle either in your redrawn districts or perhaps running for a municipal office when prospective opponents can and will point out that your votes individually and collectively enabled someone who has mocked your constituents’ concerns to hold power?
Is it worth placing your largely exemplary careers at risk to prop up someone who has not adhered to even the minimum ethical standards one would expect of an officeholder? How do you propose to convince your constituents that you did the right thing if you stand by someone who will not stand by your constituents?
Make no mistake. If he is allowed to continue as President Pro-Tempore, Sen. DeLuca will be the most visible symbol of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Those who have defended him will be forced to defend themselves.
I believe that it is in your own best interests to forge ahead with new leadership, leadership that shares the concerns of your constituents. I am not pushing for a specific leader or for a specific team. I’m not even asking you to ‘do the right thing’. I am merely asking each of you to consider what is best for you and for the state.
Once you have considered that, I have every confidence that you will make the right decision.
Your Amigo,
El Somnambulo
I was getting shivers listening to you unwind this argument this morning.
TMI Nancy
Too bad Bonini is the only one who admits to being a DL reader.
Who’s taking action on whether Tiny Tony (I love that moniker, El S), will step aside, even for a few weeks/months?
Nice letter. Too bad these Legislators can’t read and don’t give a damn about doing the right thing.
Amend the Constitution and ban legislators from holding public jobs.
A professor of mine once said that the biggest political scandals are not caused by illegal actions or even those that are officially unethical (according to codified institutional rules), but rather those actions that voters (and journalists/bloggers) perceive as unethical.