I have read several (not all of the posts) under this issue and we have all had different experiences along with some good ideas. Here is my personal experience in dealing with my Wisconsin District 1 representative Paul Ryan over the past several years. Please note: I have not contributed in any way to Ryan's campaign.
Through a professional lobbying service (probably set up by my satellite provider) I sent off two bingo cards concerning HR 2921 & HR3261 to my state rep. Months later from the original sendings (I actually forgot about the issues) form letters came back to me with the standard - yeah, ah ha, OK reply. Nothing further to date on the bills from my rep. In March of 2001 I composed a lenghty email voicing my concerns on Paul's past voting record and what I as a constituent would prefer to see and why. To date no response. In August 2001, I personally met Paul on a summer road show. I was actually the only constituent that met with him. We chatted about the social security system (he's on the SS subcommittee), I mentioned the email sent back in March, which I got a friendly apology. Lastly I mentioned 2 or 3 bills by number that I either wanted him to consider cosponsoring/supporting or give me his position on. After a quick reference on my end to familiarize him with the bill names and issues we chatted on one briefly. He made promises to me to look into and read each bill. I felt kinda good at that point, but did notice neither he nor his local and DC interns took any notes during our conversation. Oh, forgot to mention that before our meeting began I filled in a constituent profile (2 pages, lots of questions - survey style) October 10, I received a thank you for stopping by to meet with me letter. No reference to anything we talked about or issues I filled in on my profile. Between June and September I sent additional emails either directly using Paul's website or through various committe's designed to petition your district representatives. Nothing received on any of them. On October 4th, Paul sent out his local "Road Warrior" intern, David Rossbach, to complete his mobile office project in my town. I met with David and quickly started questioning why I haven't gotten any responses from emails sent from March through now 2001. David very politely advised that they received about 1000 emails/week and that any out of district emails were passed over. I then sparked that I was in the district. Next David mentioned an email problem they were having and that they have fixed it now. Q: What would happen with all my old emails? A: Didn't know
Now Dave was taking notes, and I advised that if Paul is going to have email communications for his constituents he better take it a bit more seriously or eliminate it entirely. I challegned him to get web-enabled. I assured David I would give the new email service a final try. My latest email to Paul Ryan summarized some older issues with him, and challenged him to evolve into an eCongressman if he really wanted to stay in touch with his constituents. Response pending (I'll give him the normal 3 months)
Conclusion:
1) Individual constituents have zero say regardless of medium used
2) Professional lobbyists petitions get you return letters (3 to 6 months wait period)
3) Something is very wrong with my district's communications protocol for constituents
4) My district rep has much more important things on his agenda than my ideas and opinions
Suggestions:
1) Think local - city, village or town
2) Run for local office
3) Learn everything about who you are voting for to represent you (2002 is re-districting time)
Regards
Paul Rzonca
Slashdot Mirror
Try this out http://clerkweb.house.gov/main.htm The format is simple and it lets you search on rollcall votes how your rep voted. Good luck Paul
I have read several (not all of the posts) under this issue and we have all had different experiences along with some good ideas. Here is my personal experience in dealing with my Wisconsin District 1 representative Paul Ryan over the past several years. Please note: I have not contributed in any way to Ryan's campaign.
Through a professional lobbying service (probably set up by my satellite provider) I sent off two bingo cards concerning HR 2921 & HR3261 to my state rep. Months later from the original sendings (I actually forgot about the issues) form letters came back to me with the standard - yeah, ah ha, OK reply. Nothing further to date on the bills from my rep. In March of 2001 I composed a lenghty email voicing my concerns on Paul's past voting record and what I as a constituent would prefer to see and why. To date no response. In August 2001, I personally met Paul on a summer road show. I was actually the only constituent that met with him. We chatted about the social security system (he's on the SS subcommittee), I mentioned the email sent back in March, which I got a friendly apology. Lastly I mentioned 2 or 3 bills by number that I either wanted him to consider cosponsoring/supporting or give me his position on. After a quick reference on my end to familiarize him with the bill names and issues we chatted on one briefly. He made promises to me to look into and read each bill. I felt kinda good at that point, but did notice neither he nor his local and DC interns took any notes during our conversation. Oh, forgot to mention that before our meeting began I filled in a constituent profile (2 pages, lots of questions - survey style) October 10, I received a thank you for stopping by to meet with me letter. No reference to anything we talked about or issues I filled in on my profile. Between June and September I sent additional emails either directly using Paul's website or through various committe's designed to petition your district representatives. Nothing received on any of them. On October 4th, Paul sent out his local "Road Warrior" intern, David Rossbach, to complete his mobile office project in my town. I met with David and quickly started questioning why I haven't gotten any responses from emails sent from March through now 2001. David very politely advised that they received about 1000 emails/week and that any out of district emails were passed over. I then sparked that I was in the district. Next David mentioned an email problem they were having and that they have fixed it now. Q: What would happen with all my old emails? A: Didn't know
Now Dave was taking notes, and I advised that if Paul is going to have email communications for his constituents he better take it a bit more seriously or eliminate it entirely. I challegned him to get web-enabled. I assured David I would give the new email service a final try. My latest email to Paul Ryan summarized some older issues with him, and challenged him to evolve into an eCongressman if he really wanted to stay in touch with his constituents. Response pending (I'll give him the normal 3 months)
Conclusion:
1) Individual constituents have zero say regardless of medium used
2) Professional lobbyists petitions get you return letters (3 to 6 months wait period)
3) Something is very wrong with my district's communications protocol for constituents
4) My district rep has much more important things on his agenda than my ideas and opinions
Suggestions:
1) Think local - city, village or town
2) Run for local office
3) Learn everything about who you are voting for to represent you (2002 is re-districting time)
Regards
Paul Rzonca