Latin America is much more left-of-center than the U.S.  It is in part about helping the pobrecitos.  There is much a greater suspicion of large economic interests...

The wealthy are a minority and without the military to back them up will generally lose power in free elections....The fall of the Soviet Union, and with it the end of the Cold War, has made it easier to be left of center in Latin America--it is seen as less of a military threat, etc.

Although the thought is that Latin America only tilts left on economic issues but is very conservartive on social issues, the truth is not quite that.  There is no capital punishment in Latin America--no doubt tied to Catholic traditions but still a "liberal" position.  Mexico City legalized abortion.  And, in Mexico, the Catholic Church has been severely curtailed with a whole set of laws that prevent it from being involved in the government.

US Senator-Missouri

It is with great disappointment that the Buchanan County Republican Central Committee finds the need to submit this letter expressing our discontent with Senator Kit Bond's decision to vote in favor of the appointment of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court.

The committee fully recognizes and appreciates Justice Sotomayor's background and service, but feels her past rulings and public comments are in conflict with the appropriate role of a justice on the highest court in the land. We are saddened that a fellow Republican entrusted with the responsibility to vote on her qualifications and temperament believes otherwise.

The Buchanan County Republican Central Committee has a long history of support for Senator Bond. Many of our members have volunteered tirelessly on his campaigns -- many since his days as Governor of this great state. It is with regret that we must condemn his announced yes vote on the confirmation of Justice Sotomayor.

In his statement to the press, Senator Bond noted that "elections have consequences". By ascribing an affirmative vote on her confirmation as the result of "elections have consequences", Senator Bond diminishes the balance of power constitutionally provided through the Senate confirmation process. His actions deny us, the voters who elected him, those same, resulting "elections have consequences" benefits since he is abdicating the senatorial powers he earned when we elected him.

While fully aware that Republicans lost the Presidential race in 2008, as a committee we understand that the loss does not mean we must abandon our principles as a political party by giving a free pass to those who would tear down the foundations of our great nation. Nominee Sotomayor's past statements and actions do not reflect the fair-minded values of the US Constitution, Missourians, or the Republican Party.

We respectfully request that Senator Bond reconsider his position on this vote and cast a NO vote for the confirmation of Justice Sotomayor.

If his yes vote is an attempt to leave public service with a legacy of bipartisanship at the expense of conceding his principles, we would remind him of what an empty legacy that would be. We hope that he will finish his long tenure as a public servant by clinging to the foundations that have returned him to office for so many years.

Respectfully,

The Buchanan County Republican Central Commmittee

Bob Ott, Chairman

P.O. Box 6304