Is Your Elected Official Really Listening?

Oliver Wendell Jones asks: "In the past few weeks, since the Sept. 11 incident, I have tried to become much more involved with what's going on politically. It started with my sending e-mails to the members of the senate committee discussing H.R. 2500 (secure encryption) and received very polite e-mails from almost eveyone stating one of two (or sometimes both) generic messages. Not one of their e-mail responses included anything stating their feelings for or against H.R. 2500, so I have no idea if my e-mails had any effect." While I'm all for automated responses to take off the pressure in terms of response time, I'd at least expect aides to take care of these things. Autoresponses aren't enough, and when someone takes the time to write a Representative, whether it be snail mail or email, someone should respond. Of course, if they don't respond to written messages, try calling them directly and make sure an aide knows why you are calling. How many of you have tried and failed when attempting to ping your Rep on government issues that were important to you?

"The two responses I was able to receive were:

• They agreed that terrorists are bad.
• If I was a constituent of their state (i.e., I could vote for them) to please respond with my mailing address in their state (I did include my snail-mail address and I do not live in their states) and they would get back to me.

Of course, the impression I got after all of this, was that if I couldn't vote against them in an upcoming election, they didn't care about my opinion.

I also sent e-mails (and one fax) to the Representatives and Senators of my state (Indiana) on this same topic and received responses similar to those I had received from the others (terrorists are bad, mmmkay?)

Last week, in response to another request from the EFF, I sent snail-mail letters to my Senators and Representative concerning the SSSCA. This time I received a two page, snail-mail form letter reiterating that terrorists are still bad, which doesn't seem to have anything to do with the SSSCA.

Has anyone had any luck actually getting their point across to an elected official, and if so, what's the secret?" I think we can all agree that terrorists are bad, but so are bad laws that interfere with our rights. Several of these are trying to progress their way through the House and the Senate and it would be nice to know how the Representatives stand, one way or the other. How can one cut thru the rhetoric and get concrete information out of those who are supposed to be your duly elected representatives in government?

Comments

Hand-written letters

[Anonymous Coward]

Hand-written or typed letters

Hand-written or typed letters

Hand-written or typed letters

Let's keep saying it a few more times, and maybe it will sink in.

Senators don't read Slashdot.

Representatives don't read Slashdot.

GWB doesn't read Slashdot.

Few of them read their email. What do you do with your un-solicited email? Guess what they do?

Hand-written or typed letters!

Get a pen.

Get some paper.

Get an envelope.

It's not that hard.

Hand-written or typed letters.Thank you.

Re:E-mail is too impersonal

[jtseng]

Really? Try typing those words on a computer screen and lifting it. Don't tell me that is NOT lighter than words on a sheet of paper!!!

Ping?

[OblongPlatypus]

I would have thought finger was a more appropriate analogy in this case, since you're actually expecting the remote host to return information. Then again, "fingering your representative" could be misconstrued as something inappropriate...

Thank you dear Slashdot poster

[circletimessquare]

Dear Oliver Wendell Jones,

We wish to thank you for your recent posting to Slashdot. As a loyal Slashdot reader, it goes without saying that without posts like yours, our community would not function. It is posters like you who make Slashdot the destination for thousands of thoughtful procrastinators from work and study every day.

Your topic, "Is Your Elected Official Really Listening" is something which requires our utmost attention. Do not for a moment think that loyal Slashdot readers such as myself are not giving grave consideration to your post, unless it is a humorous post. In that case, do not for a moment think that your post is not filling us heartily with frivolous glee.

As a loyal Slashdot reader, I wish to thank you again for your insightful post, and we will be considering your matter. Thank you for your thoughtful involvement in our community. It is that community spirit which makes this website the great website that it is. Just remember that there are many ways you can contribute to your community on this issue, and volunteer work should be the first one on your list.

Thank you again,
Loyal Slashdot Readers.

;-P

Example of elected representitives

[SnapShot]

Where I grew up, the mayor was also the Junior High librarian. That "representitive of the people" kept telling me to Shush! Bastard...

Make Money Fast!

[Sloppy]

Do you have any idea how many e-mail lobby campaigns that congresspeople get flooded with. It's usually one step above spam (chainmail or web forms),

(Hey, that gives me an idea...)

Hi, my name is Dave Rhodes. I was a congressman from a little-known state and wasn't allowed to vote myself a pay-raise one year. The bills were piling up, and the cocaine dealers and hookers stopped taking IOUs. My BMW was about to be repossessed and my house in Switzerland was badly in need of repairs before winter set in. I was in real trouble!

Then I got the idea: why not use the office of congressman to make money? So I sent out a mass-mailing to all my constituents, saying:

Tired of lobbyists running the country? It's time to take back America, and the power really is in YOUR hands. If you want me to vote for the repeal of DMCA, send me a check for $100. If the sum of YOUR contributions exceeds that of the MPAA and RIAA lobbyists, I solemnly swear that I WILL vote in the interests of the American people. I am an honest congressman and will keep my word. So now it is up to YOU to make a difference TODAY.

Soon I was inundated with checks! I was able to pay the hookers and coke dealers again. Then the MPAA lobbyists found out and they raised their payment and I sent out another mass-mailing and soon I had a full-fledged, drag-out, intense bidding war on my hands! My Swiss house's roof got repaired before the first snowfall, and my Beamer is completely paid off now!

I am telling you, this scheme works! Please forward this email about this Great Opportunity to 5 cronies in the House or Senate. Soon we'll all be rich!