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Edited on Thu Jul-14-05 05:44 PM by Bouncy Ball
I want elected representatives who remember that they are working at the will of the people, that they SERVE the people. Not the other way around.
I want elected representatives who ACT like they remember that little bit of information. I want some humility in our elected representatives (and for now I am leaving this neutral with regard to party).
It must be too easy to forget that. They get to Austin (in the case of my state reps) or DC and suddenly, for a lot of them, "the people" is just a vague, abstract notion.
With all that being said, I want republican representatives at all levels of government to remember for just a second that "THE PEOPLE" includes people of ALL political persuasions, people of ALL walks of life and situations. Everything they do, every decision they make is supposed to be made with we the people in mind. Not just the people in your party. Or doesn't anyone remember that? Is that "quaint" like the Geneva Convention? If I were elected to office as a Democrat, of course I would act as a Democrat, but I'd ALSO remember I am there to represent ALL the people in my district/state/what have you and it would be good to LISTEN to them.
One of my senators, unfortunately, is John Cornyn (R-naturally). I have written to him three times in the past, oh, three years, always on timely issues, and always in a highly respectful manner. I mention an issue currently under debate in the Senate, I urge him to consider this and such viewpoint, etc etc, respectfully yours, Bouncy Ball. I'm his CONSTITUENT.
Have I ever once received a reply? Never. Not even a form letter with a God Bless America thankyouverymuch at the end. The first time, I called his office after a month to ask if the letter was received. The staffer took my number, said she'd have to call me back. Never did.
A month after the second letter (which was about a year later), I called his offices to see if maybe I could get a reply, something. Asked how he voted on it (it was one I had a hard time finding out--a voice vote or something) and the staffer again totally blew me off. I was very nice and respectful when calling.
The third time I didn't bother. I didn't even know why I was bothering to write.
My other senator is Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-naturally). I once wrote her about the federal marriage amendment. I got a letter back about the Iraq War.
So I thought "well, I guess I'll write her about the Iraq war, address a few of the things she said in this form letter."
So I wrote that and got no response. Called her offices, they said they'll send out a letter to me and a week or so later, I got a letter about Social Security.
And by the way, I'd be just as angry (probably more because I expect better) if these were Democrats.
I guess it's just too much to ask to have elected representatives who care about WHAT THE PEOPLE THINK.
When I was teaching, I knew who my REAL bosses were. They weren't my department chair, my team leader, my principal, or even the school board or the superintendent. They were the PARENTS of the students I was charged to teach. THEY were my true bosses and I never forgot it. They were trusting me with the education of their child and as such I felt far more answerable to them than to anyone else. Once I saw a teacher act crappy to a parent in a conference, getting all snippy with her and I pulled her aside later and said "don't you know SHE funds your paycheck, not the principal--never treat parents like that."
I think some people in Washington would do well to remember just who funds THEIR paychecks. And act accordingly.
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