Even if you can't vote, write your congressman.

[AbsintheClock]

I recently wrote my local congressman regarding a bill that was recently written up. Instead of spending your time jerking around in a place like this where your opinions don't matter you folks should write your congressman.

I recently did and even got a reply the next day.

August 8, 2008


Jason Berry
(My address)



Dear Jason:

       Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 5843, the Act
to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by
Responsible Adults.  I appreciate hearing your views on this topic.

       As you may know, H.R. 5843 would eliminate federal
penalties for the possession of 100 grams or less of marijuana for
personal use and for the not-for-profit transfer of less than one
ounce.  This bill would not affect any state and/or local marijuana
regulations and would not alter the status of marijuana as a
Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

       H.R. 5843 was introduced by my Massachusetts colleague
Representative Barney Frank on April 17, 2008, and was referred
to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and the
Judiciary.  While I do not serve on either one of these committees,
please rest assured that I will keep your opinions in mind should
this bill reach the House floor for a vote.

       Once again, thank you for contacting me about this
important issue.  Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future
regarding this or any other issue.




James P. McGovern


Member of Congress

[Heliopios]

"please write me more messages so that I can send an automated message back to you"

all I got out of that.

[FluxCapacitorClock]

I can't help but think his response sounds like he could've wrote "Dear John Doe" at the top and it wouldn't have changed a bit.

It reads like a very automated response. That's probably why you got a response so quick. He just gave you some general information about the Act that you probably already knew, and then told you to write again.

[Loki Clock]

A few years ago, we called Ron Paul about a bill he was voting against that we supported, and he actually talked to us about it, explaining that he was holding out for a more effective bill that would be blocked if that bill were to pass, mostly because the compromise would satisfy what the undecided voters wanted to that end.

So even though the response is likely automated, I think the letters do get read anyway.

[WiiClock]

[u2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JPfnJVEr8E[/u2]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JPfnJVEr8E

[TremcladClock]

I've always gotten the impression that writing members of parliament (or congress) is a colossal waste of time. They frequently receive letters from both sides of polarised issues, so it's quite unlikely that they'd pick one from a hat and decide to run with it. The replies will always give you the feeling that they've taken your concerns into consideration, but that's just the first measure taken to douse the fire in your belly.

[Pube Carville]

If you want to get anything done right you got to use bomb threats! Bomb threats or cup cakes depending on your position.

[Marlin Clock]

Pube Carville rides again! Where's Pube Savage?

[Pube Carville]

Getting a blowjob from his intern. Republicans do it too.

[Loki Clock]

They frequently receive letters from both sides of polarised issues, so it's quite unlikely that they'd pick one from a hat and decide to run with it.

They're not necessarily paying attention to your arguments, but to what the majority stance is. If 73% of the people you represent are against a bill you're for, you'll probably reconsider unless it means the absolute world to you that your individual feelings on the subject are represented in the law.