When I lived in a different city than I do now I had a great representative. Every time there was something I felt strongly about I would call his office and register my opinion, his assistants would take the time to tell me where he stood and I would receive emails about the issues he wanted his constituents to know about. As well he would send Christmas cards. I know in part this was to get votes but it felt really personal to me and gave me hope in our system.
I generally get responses from my Representative, and he's pretty much always agreed with me so that's good. My two state senators, however, have only written back when I've taken part in a mass action by something like HRC, and then the response hasn't really addressed the issue. Actually, come to think of it, I don't think Dole's office wrote back, just Burr's (of course, he's a freshman senator and she's, well, Dole).
Whether or not your rep was hoping for votes is kind of secondary in my opinion. At least there was acknowledgement of the particular issue and not just some form "you contacted us- thanks" note, so they were spending the time and mental effort to respond to your specific question.
I hear that. You know, I don't put bumper stickers on my car (the whole "let's not offend anyone at work" thing), but that's one I'd consider sporting.
There has to be more that we can do than just put bumper stickers on our cars... bumpers and cars aren't the vehicles of change (pun intended). I'm starting to look up organizations that petition the government on this since they're likely to have more force in effecting change than just me writing letters and e-mails.
Hear, hear. That's a concise and well written letter you sent, and I agree with it entirely. I hope someone in office reads it and really thinks on it.
I think someone in my representative's office will definitely read and respond, but I think he's on the same page as me (since he represents Chapel Hill and all).
You may be right- I hope that if we're there that we can start to reverse the trend by demanding response (and not just as lobbying groups but as concerned individuals). If I had $50 million a year to petition congressmen and senators I'd instead take the money and give most of it to various charities and causes I believe in. I think it would go further that way. Hrm... tangent, but perhaps an interesting and related one.
Comments 8
When I lived in a different city than I do now I had a great representative. Every time there was something I felt strongly about I would call his office and register my opinion, his assistants would take the time to tell me where he stood and I would receive emails about the issues he wanted his constituents to know about. As well he would send Christmas cards. I know in part this was to get votes but it felt really personal to me and gave me hope in our system.
Reply
I generally get responses from my Representative, and he's pretty much always agreed with me so that's good. My two state senators, however, have only written back when I've taken part in a mass action by something like HRC, and then the response hasn't really addressed the issue. Actually, come to think of it, I don't think Dole's office wrote back, just Burr's (of course, he's a freshman senator and she's, well, Dole).
Whether or not your rep was hoping for votes is kind of secondary in my opinion. At least there was acknowledgement of the particular issue and not just some form "you contacted us- thanks" note, so they were spending the time and mental effort to respond to your specific question.
Reply
"you can't be pro-life AND pro war!"
Reply
There has to be more that we can do than just put bumper stickers on our cars... bumpers and cars aren't the vehicles of change (pun intended). I'm starting to look up organizations that petition the government on this since they're likely to have more force in effecting change than just me writing letters and e-mails.
Reply
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
You may be right- I hope that if we're there that we can start to reverse the trend by demanding response (and not just as lobbying groups but as concerned individuals). If I had $50 million a year to petition congressmen and senators I'd instead take the money and give most of it to various charities and causes I believe in. I think it would go further that way. Hrm... tangent, but perhaps an interesting and related one.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment