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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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