World Journal (Los Angeles) - World Journal (Los Angeles) - Weekly Supplement
44前參議員籲護民主
44位兩黨前聯邦參議員於本月10日聯名投書「華盛頓郵報」，呼籲參議院在特別檢察官穆勒的通俄案調查將結束，與眾議院將調查川普總統之際，參院同仁必須挺身捍衛美國民主。參與連署的知名前任參議員，包括了蒙大拿州民主黨人鮑卡斯(Max Baucus)、紐約州共和黨人達馬托(Al D’Amato)、南達科他州民主黨人達歇爾(Tom Daschle)、內布拉斯加州共和黨人海格(Chuck Hagel) ，以及印第安納州共和黨人魯加(Richard Lugar)，與麻州民主黨人柯瑞(John Kerry)等。以下摘錄這篇投書的內容：
● As former members of the U.S. Senate, Democrats and Republicans, it is our shared view that we are entering a dangerous period, and we feel an obligation to speak up about serious challenges to the rule of law, the Constitution, our governing institutions and our national security.親愛的參院同仁，身為民主黨與共和黨的前聯邦參議員，我們都認為現在正進入一個危險時期，因此有責任提出當前對於法治、憲法、政府機關及國家安全的嚴重挑戰。
● We are at an inflection point in which the foundational principles of our democracy and our national security interests are at stake, and the rule of law and the ability of our institutions to function freely and independently must be upheld.現在是個轉折點，不僅我們民主 的根本原則與國家安全利益正在重要關頭，也必須維護法治與政府機關獨立自由發揮功能的能力。
● During our service in the Senate, at times we were allies and at other times opponents, but never enemies. We all took an oath swearing allegiance to the Constitution.在參院服務時，有時候我們是朋友、有時是對手，但絕非敵人。我們都曾宣誓效忠憲法。
● Whatever united or divided us, we did not veer from our unwavering and shared commitment to placing our country, democracy and national interest above all else.我們都承諾將國家、民主與國家利益放在最優先，不論意見一致或分歧，我們的承諾都沒有動搖。
● At other critical moments in our history, when constitutional crises have threatened our foundations, it has been the Senate that has stood in defense of our democracy.在歷史上的其他重要時刻，當憲政危機威脅到我國根基時，一直是參議院站出來捍衛民主。
● Today is once again such a time. Regardless of party affiliation, ideological leanings or geography, as former members of this great body, we urge current and future senators to be steadfast and zealous guardians of our democracy by ensuring that partisanship or selfinterest not replace national interest.今天又來到了這個時刻。不論彼此隸屬哪個政黨、意識形態或地區，我們身為這個偉大組織的前成員，要敦促現任與未來的參議員，堅定且積極捍衛民主，確保黨派偏見與自我利益不得取代國家利益。