Writing to the President et al

[Grumpy]

I just finished writing my second set to emails (and one previous set of snail mail letters) to the President, my two Senators, my Representative, the Speaker of the House, and the Majority Leader of the Senate. What I wrote in any of them is not the point of this post so I won't go into that. All of these have been since January 20th.

I see a lot of people complaining and grousing about the President, Congress, the administration, et al, but what I am wondering is how many of you have ever taken the time to write letters or send emails to them?

And, in case anyone would like to contact these people and don't know how, here are the links:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.house.gov/

For the White House and Senate, click on CONTACT US along the top, and for Congress enter your ZIP Code in the box on the top left of the page.

Hopefully, I will hear that many of you have written to them because they need to know what we THE PEOPLE are thinking.

Grumpy

[Grumpy]

From the lack of responce, it looks like I am THE ONLY ONE that can continue to complain and grouse about Obama, his administration, and things the government does.

[DJD]

From the lack of responce, it looks like I am THE ONLY ONE that can continue to complain and grouse about Obama, his administration, and things the government does.

Grumpy,
I have to admit I'm a little hesitant/intimidated about sending anything to Washington. I know it might sound silly but I guess my distrust about Gubment has me paranoid. Sending something to our local Reps feels fine to me but the President and his dirty filthy ways of politics makes me think twice about it.
Give us an idea of how much ZING you put in your letters. I do feel you have to be respectful but factual...not sure how to do that with this bozo.

Signed:

Under the Gubments thumb in Lex.

[Grumpy]

Don, I have written letters to every President since and including Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. At the same times, I have written most of my Senators and Congressmen on the subject of note. I have received replies from all of them, except for the several letters I wrote to President Bill Clinton, and I am positive that he didn't want to hear anything I had to say. Many of the others didn't also, but at least I received replies even if they said they didn't agree with my point of view.

I am not egotistical enough to think that any President, Senator or Congressman actually saw/read my letters. Rather some staffer read them and made a tick mark for or against the subject I was writting about and then prepared a reply, using and AutoPen or computer in later years. However, I do believe that our elected officials will listen when there are enough tick marks for or against something and they will act accordingly.

I think your trepedation is misplaced because in spite of some of the things I wrote to Bill Clinton, the Secret Service nor FBI never contacted me. The real thing is to be respectful of THE OFFICE, and never make threats or swear or whatever. In other words, abide by the same rules we have to abide by on Fishin.com.

This is getting rather long but you asked for an example of what I wrote to Obama and here is a quote of my last email:

"Dear Mr. President,

I hear on the news that you want grass roots support for your economic recovery plans. Well, you will not get it from me.

Please stop all of these bailouts. They aren’t doing anything except driving our country further in debt. While campaigning, you blasted the Bush deficits and yet in two short months you and your administration have run up three times the debts of the Bush years. Please stop spending my money!! Please don’t bankrupt America.

Please get the government out of private industry, financial, automotive, and all others. I understand that the economy is in dire straights now but all of your ranting about how bad things are, is only making it worse, not better. People, myself included, need to hear the positive side of things not the constant doom and gloom that you are preaching.

I started working and earning my own spending money when I was twelve years old and I worked hard until I retired at 62. I would like to enjoy my retirement and not see the American financial system and America itself go broke under you massive spending and bailout plans.

Sincerely,"

Grumpy (I used my real name)

I emailed a copy of the above letter to my two Senators, my Congressman, to Nancy Pelosi and to Harry Reed. Not that I expect the latter two will listen to me any more than I expect Obama will but at least I can try. As I said before, if enough people will write letters/emails THEY WILL LISTEN.

Sorry for the long post but you asked for it,

Grumpy

[DJD]

Thanks Grumpy, that gives me a starting point. Hey if they haul me away will you come see me? JK

[Dave Stewart]

I have written some letters over the years..more to Reps and Senators than the President....though I have it much more effective to go to the "town hall" type meetings and voice my opinion and throw questions in their face in front of a crowd of constituants rather than send a letter to a staffer.....that way I know the person is getting my message...of course I know I am on a list somewhere.

[Grumpy]

Don, I know you are joking but if they were going to haul people away for writing letters to the President I would have been long gone a long time ago.

Dave, I agree that the effectiveness of a Town Hall meeting is better than writing letters; however, even when a Congressman like Ron Lewis who held frequent TH meetings, at best there are maybe two or three a year. His predessor and our two Senators never have them (unless I have missed something). Also, TH Meetings are usually held for one specific topic or agenda but I can write a letter on any topic at any time as fequently as I want to and it is even easier with email.

Lastly, even though I just touched on it, don't down play the role of the staffer making tick marks. I have talked to some of the staffers and found that what they record is pretty in depth AND IS WELL RECIEVED BY THE OFFICIALS, for most of them that is.

I still say if more people would write letters/emais we could be heard.

Grumpy

[bassin_bug]

Thanks Grumpy, that gives me a starting point. Hey if they haul me away will you come see me? JK

I'll send you a picture of Anna Nicole Smith to put on your cell wall. Would you also like one of Charlie Manson? How about Brittney and Paris? lol

[Grumpy]

Bug, you apparently didn't read all of the posts after the first one. You really should read the posts before comminting.

Grumpy

[bassin_bug]

Bug, you apparently didn't read all of the posts after the first one. You really should read the posts before comminting.

Grumpy

I read every one of them. Have yourself a party writing letters to politicians... if that's what rings your bell.

[bassin_bug]

From the lack of responce, it looks like I am THE ONLY ONE that can continue to complain and grouse about Obama, his administration, and things the government does.

You may also be THE ONLY ONE who does not know that most of those letters never reach the intended recipient. If they do, there are several other people who have already read them and noted your name and address. They may even send out a routine form letter to make you think your letter was important and you didn't waste a postage stamp or your time. However, your name could have already been placed on the FBI "Watch List." You don't have to say or do anything wrong for that to happen; there are many innocent people, including children, on that stupid list.

I am really not interested in becoming a pen pal with Obama or any other politician. For years my childhood friend has been a Senator and our family lawyer. All I have to do is walk into his home or office and talk to him about my concerns; he told me how most, not all, of the mail is handled.

If you feel that you are making a difference with your letters, by all means keep writing.