Ehlers refuses to oppose escalation of war

An update on Jeff's post from earlier this week:

Congressman Vern Ehlers was one of 182 members of Congress who voted to oppose standing up to President Bush's plan to escalate the war in Iraq. Congressman Fred Upton of St. Joseph was one of 17 Republicans to join almost every Democrat in supporting the non-binding resolution, but Ehlers just didn't have the gumption to say yes.

A full text of Ehlers's speech to the House can be found here.

Ehlers loses his ability to stand

Vern Ehlers must have a physical ailment, not too suprising for a bloke his age. As the US House of Representatives debates their non-binding resolution against the Bush escalation in Iraq, Vern Ehlers has lost the use of his voice, and perhaps his legs. This is the only explaination that I can come up with.

Ehlers has decided to remain mute on this resolution. The Detroit News reports that Ehlers and two other Michigan Republican Representatives have decided to not let their constituents or the nation know where they stand, or sit, on the issue.

As debate opened Tuesday on a congressional resolution opposing more U.S. troops in Iraq, three of Michigan's Republicans held their positions close to the vest.

The three who wouldn't say whether they will support President Bush: U.S. Rep. Candice Miller of Harrison Township, who is Michigan's only member on the House Armed Services Committee and an increasingly vocal skeptic of President Bush's Iraq policies; Fred Upton of St. Joseph, and Vern Ehlers of Grand Rapids.

Correct me if I am wrong here; but what exactly is it that our Representatives do? I mean, aren't they supposed to represent us, their constituents. Aren't they supposed be our voice. We do not have the ability to address the House of Representatives ourselves... for that we elect a mouthpiece, someone who will convey the message of his constituents to his collegues in the House. Assuming that the 3rd district carries the same political tone on Iraq as the rest of the country; 60% of Americans oppose the troop escalation according to a USA Today/Gallup poll released today. So with Ehlers, we have no voice! We are unrepresented. So I would like to think that Vern just can't stand... that perhaps he has lost his voice.