CRPD: We Need a Gang of Six

As the window starts to close for us, I think of  several  types of Senators who could help us. First are those up for election. Being an elected official is no easy job. As such a person must spend a lot of time on what is important to his or her base. For after all, the base is what got the person elected in the first place, especially in a primary situation. The general election is coming up, November 4th. In a general election, every politician relies on that all important base, but in a tight race, there is a second group -- politicians who need to attract additional voters. Third, there are  politicians who are retiring. These people need to think about legacy, having the opportunity to vote on something significant, with longstanding implications, at the end of their public service. Finally, there are elected officials, who value being viewed as being thoughtful and being problem solvers, people who breakthrough an impasse. From these four groups could come our helpers.

In these critical days in September we need a gang of six, who go public as a group, and say why they now support the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). There are Senators, who faced tight primaries, but won. There are Senators, who face tight races, as we approach November. There are Senators, who are retiring, and want to beef up their legacy. There are Senators who take pride in their ability to bring colleagues together to solve problems.

There is a gang of six out there. They know an overwhelming group of Americans from diverse segments -- disability, veterans, business, human rights, and religious organizations -- have been advocating frequently, forcefully for ratification. They know all issues have been addressed. They know federalism, sovereignty, access to reproductive health care, and parents rights to homeschool will not now or in the future be undone if the Senate were to ratify the CRPD.

These Senators need to step forward next week with courage and clarity and let America know where they stand. They need to let America know that its standing, credibility, and power to influence other nations in many areas will be enhanced through ratification of the CRPD.

If these six would step forward, we could proceed to that all important floor vote. Are you one of those six? Do you know one of those six? Now is your time to shine!

Thank you.
Common Grounder