To: Rep. Daniel Webster, (R-FL 8)
Rep. Webster: No more citizen "watch lists"
We the undersigned stand with the "Watch List 6" and other "blacklisted" citizens in demanding an apology from Rep. Dan Webster (R-FL 8) for his shocking abuse of power in creating and distributing a "watch list" of his constituents who dared to publicly question his votes to cut life-saving programs like Medicare and Medicaid. This blatant attempt at intimidation, which included sending the list to other members of Congress who distributed it at their own town halls, is unconscionable in a public servant. We will not tolerate it. Rep. Webster must immediately apologize directly to the private citizens he targeted in these watch lists, and to his entire district, in order to mend the broken confidence of his constituents. He must also guarantee that no further "watch lists" will be compiled by his office or campaign and that future town halls will welcome opposing opinions.
Why is this important?
If you stood up at a town hall meeting to ask your elected representative about a congressional vote, would you expect your photo to show up on a "citizen watch list" flyer in another state? That's just what happened to six Florida residents who questioned Rep. Dan Webster (R -FL 8) at his town halls earlier this year.
Will you stand with the "Watch List 6" and other "blacklisted" citizens and demand Rep. Webster stop harassing and intimidating his constituents? His shocking abuse of power in creating and distributing a "watch list" those who dared to publicly question his votes to cut life-saving programs like Medicare and Medicaid will not be tolerated.
Rep. Webster actually sent this list to other members of Congress who distributed them at their own town halls. Intimidating people for speaking at town halls is unconscionable in a public servant. Rep. Webster must immediately apologize directly to the private citizens he targeted in these watch lists, and to his entire district, in order to mend the broken confidence of his constituents. He must commit to immediately stop creating and distributing "watch lists" and to recognize the rights of all his constituents--not just his supporters.
Town hall meetings are an important tool for constituents to communicate with their elected representatives. We cannot allow Rep. Webster to intimidate people for asking questions and demanding accountability from members of Congress.