Establishing taxa as "present"

Leo A. Martin leo@possi.org
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:03:06 PDT
One opinion
>> Call your congressman today and let them know your concerns.

Another
> No. Snailmail. Pieces of paper can't be "forgotten" and the delete key
> can't be pressed quite so easily.

Mine
It is possible for any citizen to obtain an appointment with their
representatives. This is the best way to raise issues. They have lots of
requests so it may take many weeks. A quicker way is to speak to their
staff.

US congressional representatives also have plenty of aides whose job is to
help citizens in their relationships with the US. After all, these
citizens (should) vote. During an election season they listen better.

In the first place, every citizen should know who are their
representatives. It is even better if your representative knows you. When
they do something you like, write them a letter of congratulations. If you
would vote for them, send them a campaign contribution, even if it is a
small one. Even if you wouldn't vote for them, send them a campaign
contribution. It is even more likely they will know you if you volunteer
on their campaigns or bundle campaign contributions.

In our representative government people and organizations are always
trying to get the government to make them rich or advance their ideas. So
the big organizations are always pressuring our representatives who make
the laws or the bureaucrats who make the rules to apply the laws. Getting
to know your representatives isn't slimy or distasteful; it's necessary.

If you aren't at the table you are on the menu.

Your representative(s) and senators are listed in every phone book. Call
each office. Tell the receptionist the nature of the issue. The aides
specialize in various types of issues. The receptionist will take your
number and have the appropriate aide call you back. The more phone numbers
you leave the better; if they have to leave a message, it may take you a
while to get them on the phone again, but they will continue calling until
they have talked to you.

Have your presentation prepared on a piece of paper so you don't forget
anything. The aide will call you back, usually within a week. Calmly
explain the issue to the aide. Don't get angry; this is likely the first
time they have ever heard of the issue, and they are likely to be
sympathetic, since congresspeople don't like angry constituents,
especially in September of election years.

Now go out and try this. We have no snap with the bureaucrats; they are
just waiting out their time to retirement, or their time until they leave
their government job for a job with the Nature Conservancy. The revolving
employment door between our US agencies making policy and the special
interest groups (liberal and conservative, policy and business) is
revolting and should be illegal. A bureaucrat may make a decision greatly
influencing a non-profit or a business and later get offered a plum job at
just the outfit they benefitted.

Leo Martin
Phoenix Arizona USA


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