League of Women Voters (Acton) - 8/21/2007

I have but two minutes to speak on the whole of domestic policy. You may find my positions on the website sendmurphytocongress.com.

But I ask now, what message does it send when a non-partisan organization has two sets of rules for party and non-party candidates?

Something was lost in translation from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution of the United States. The highest ideals of independence, of equality and liberty were reduced, and reserved only for white men of property. When the Constitution was first ratified, more than half of this audience would not have had the most basic right to vote. And yet men and women have, throughout our history, spoken out and fought for this freedom we hold dear, and over the years we have seen the rewards of this struggle towards greater inclusion.

But is this not an illusion? Is it really enough to have an equal vote, when our voices have been rendered unequal? Through the influence of money, has not prosperity and party simply replaced property as the barrier to politics? And so I ask again, what message does it send when this organization has two sets of rules? What message other than the tacit ratification of this nonsensical system? What message does it send when one candidate shies from debate, and another must fight to be included?

These questions I leave to you. I yield back the balance of my brief time, for a moment of silence, of remembrance of my family members and friends and of all the men and women who have fought overseas for our freedom, and to those who sought to stand up for it here at home. May their grave sacrifices never be taken for granted.