TREATY: More than meets the eye

I read with interest in the Sunday, Dec. 9 edition of the Coeur d’Alene Press, Kenneth Green’s opinion regarding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It’s curious to me Mr. Green chose to quote Sarah Palin in his topic sentence, as Governor Palin’s comments were minimal in regard to this U.N. treaty even though she has a special needs child. Neither was Palin’s “wusses” comment Green referred to (for which she later apologized) directed at Republicans in regard to the U.N. CRPD. This comment rather was in regard to the fiscal cliff debate.

That aside, it is true, Senator Santorum, also a parent with a disabled child, fought tirelessly to inform United States citizens, that though this treaty is wrapped up in a nice sounding name, there is much more to it than meets the eye.

And yes, Mr. Green is correct; some of the senators who were on the fence about this U.N. treaty, and some who may even have been for it originally, were persuaded to vote against it. However, they were persuaded not so much by fellow senators (past or current) but rather they were persuaded by the outcry from their constituents who wisely came out vocally against the ratification of this treaty. Mr. Green, that’s the way our government is supposed to work! I am appreciative of those senators who looked at the facts; considered ALL ramifications of this treaty; and listened to the voice of the people.

Furthermore, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is far from simply being about American citizens possibly losing their right to home school their children as Mr. Green stated, though that is indeed a part of it. It is more importantly about losing our rights to parent our children and care for our children in the manner we as parents deem best. Though cloaked in wording that seems to be something that would be in the best interest of anyone with disabilities, Americans are already protected with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the U.S. is the leader worldwide in regard to caring for those with disabilities.

The CRPD, rather, is in reality something that would place American domestic issues under the supervision of the United Nations. The U.N. CRPD defines entitlements as “economic, social and cultural rights,” which could lead to a dangerous impact on any number of domestic law issues. This treaty, along with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, is something that would chip away at our sovereignty as a nation and both of these treaties continue to deserve our attention.

Though I’m sure Mr. Green has the best intentions in his concern for disabled veterans and those citizens who may frequently travel abroad, this treaty would do nothing for those people he considerately mentioned in his letter. The truth of the matter, upon deeper study and reflection, one will find that this treaty does nothing to aid our citizens who are traveling overseas. If foreign nations are not following our lead with the Americans with Disabilities Act in providing easier access and protections for those with disabilities, common sense will tell us they are not going to protect our citizens while they travel abroad because we have ratified CRPD.

Why are we still talking about this U.N. treaty if the Senate voted it down this month? We are still talking about this because those in the Senate promoting this treaty have vowed to bring it up for another vote in January. Proponents have been relentless in pushing CRPD forward and our senators need to know we stand behind them in their “NO” vote to ratify this dangerous treaty.

U.N. CRPD not only affects United States law in regard to how we parent our children, and care for those with disabilities; it most importantly of all would subject our sovereign nation to international law which would set a terrible precedent for other issues that could also end up under U.N. control. Gun control laws and even Internet laws are already being looked at being placed under the authority of the United Nations. A quick “Google” on these issues will reveal what is at stake. We need to stop it where it begins and encourage our leaders to vote NO on ratification of any and all U.N. treaties.

No, Mr. Green, it is certainly not a time for “wusses.” But it is a time for the type of strength we saw in those senators that because of the voice of the people chose to stand for the sovereignty of our great nation during an administration that seems to want to take us elsewhere.

JAN CONNER

Athol