An open letter to Senator Al Franken

Dear Senator Franken,

I think that you are sincere in the apologies you have offered.  I also think that you cannot try to distinguish what you did before you became a Senator versus what you are accused of doing after you were elected.  You've owned what happened, you've apologized and now you do need to get to work to rebuild the trust you keep saying you want to rebuild.

Here is one way you can work toward that goal.  Introduce legislation that removes the veil of secrecy and Byzantine process from the process of employees of Congress making complaints regarding sexual harassment.  Require that any settlements involving members of Congress and/or their staffs do NOT contain any nondisclosure agreements in terms of protecting the accused.  If the victim wishes anonymity in a settlement, that should be their prerogative.

Then go one step further.  Introduce legislation that would require that only the victims of sexual harassment can ask for a nondisclosure agreement as part of a settlement.  In any industry.  In any situation.

Then you advocate for this issue.  Force the Republicans who will oppose it to do so in the light of day.  Show that they, like the LiarInChief, have no interest in protecting the American people who are not part of the 1%.

Best regards,