Do your Representatives actually listen to you?

I sent the following email to my State Senator after receiving a blanket email from him indicating he was interested in hearing from his constituents.

Quote :

I appreciate the fact that you’ve asked for feedback from your constituents. It’s always nice to know that lines of communications are open and I can talk to you on those issues that have a meaningful impact on my daily life. However, there will always be that doubt that what I say will fall on deaf ears.

Can you give me an example of ANY issue that you’ve voted on in the past in which the majority of your constituents who voiced a concern on that issue were for, or against, and you personally held an opposing view but voted in favor of your constituents? Professing to listen to your constituents is one thing; actually following the majority of the voices and voting for or against an issue when doing so goes against your own views on the issue is an entirely different matter.

Whenever I write letters or emails to any of my elected government officials, be it local, state, or federal, I’m always reminded of the oft heard joke about lawyers or politicians: “How can you tell if a lawyer/politician is lying? His lips are moving.” And of course, this does not apply to ALL lawyers or politicians. But it does apply to enough of them that it gives the joke some credence. And in no way, shape, or form am I implying that it applies to you. Until proven otherwise, I will assume that you actually do care what your constituents think and act in accordance with their wishes even if it goes against your own personal beliefs on a given issue. And having knowledge of an example of this would bolster my assumption tremendously.

Here is his reply:

Quote :

With time constraints i can't go into much detail, BUT, Let me tell you how I operate and you can agree or disagree.

I believe in less government and less taxes. That being said I know everything I study and work on is clouded with that feeling. Now I always study each issue fully and then vote the way I feel is best for the area I represent. I cannot take a straw poll on each issue and I know the e-mails and feedback I receive does not represent an accurate feeling of my whole district.
If I have truly studied the issue in depth and detail, I would know more than anyone participating in a straw poll, who know very little on the subject and who have their opinion usually colored by special interests loudly proclaiming a bill being good or bad to their causes.
I hope this helps.. I don't be so cynical, it does help to receive feedback and I value it as I study issues.
Thanks for the note,

Remember, this is from a State Senator. I will not comment on the grammar as it speaks for itself. Now correct me if I’m wrong on my assessment of his reply. He just told me that constituents are a bunch of dumb asses who don’t know a damn thing about political issues other than what somebody else has told them. He says he values his constituents input on issues, but he will never use that input to guide his decisions on matters before the legislature. This arrogant bastard thinks he’s smarter than any of his constituents and knows better than any of them what is, and what is not, good for them.

Or did I completely miss the mark on my assessment of his reply? If so, it’s probably because I’m not capable of truly studying the issues in depth and detail, I know very little on any issue, and my opinions are usually colored by special interests loudly proclaiming a bill being good or bad to their causes.

I think your assesment is spot on Dubob.

I like his response. He was NOT elected to vote based on the whims of the people, he was elected based on what he stood for and what his principles are. It is also accurate that MOST of the masses are either uneducated on the issues or misinformed on them. Remember, this is a representative Republic, NOT a democracy!

It is quite obvious that this senator prefers to listen to the "special interests" in Washington instead of the "special interests" at home (his constituents). Time to primary this RINO.

fatbass wrote:

It is quite obvious that this senator prefers to listen to the "special interests" in Washington instead of the "special interests" at home (his constituents). Time to primary this RINO.

I was under the impression this is a STATE senator, not a US senator. If it is Hatch we are talking about, I agree on getting rid of him in 2012!

dubob, representatives are NOT supposed to take a poll on every issue, in fact they aren't even supposed to vote for what the majority wants if that would cause harm to them. If the masses want something that is contrary to the Constitution, state/federal, do you expect your rep to vote for it? I surely do NOT, and I would do all I can to get such a mushhead out of office ASAP. I want men/women of principle, not men/women trying to appease the masses. But, that's just me.

[quote="dubob"]

proutdoors wrote:

But look, that person works for me and every other citizen in the state regardless of whether or not we all voted for the representative. And I would expect that when reasoned, intelligent, and knowledgeable opinions are presented to a representative and are in the majority of all opinions received on an issue, that the representative would put aside his personal biases and do the correct thing and actually represent the folks he works for. And it really pisses me off when they don’t. Which means I’m pissed off way too much of the time with the current caliber of representation we have at all levels of government in this country.

If you’re okay with being represented by arrogant bastards that could care less about your qualifications to study an issue and voice a reasoned opinion on said issue, then far be it from me to try and change your mind.

How does one determine what is "reasoned, intelligent, and knowledgeable opinions"? Make no mistake, I think far too many elected officials are pompous jack wagons, but I find nothing wrong with your state senators response to you.

dubob wrote:

proutdoors wrote:

How does one determine what is "reasoned, intelligent, and knowledgeable opinions"?

Oh come now Pro; you do it all the time right here. You repeatedly chastise those folks who you don't agree with and laud those who you do agree with. You've applied your own standards of what is reasoned, intelligent, and knowledgeable. I would expect (hope) that my senator at least be able to do the same. And I'm really surprised that you don't.

You best back off your high horse cowboy! My point, which would be obvious if you weren't so eager to shout me down, is that your/my opinions on what is 'reasonable', intelligent, and knowledgeable can vary big time. Just ask a progressive such as VOR and his opinions on ALL three would be completely different than yours and mine. I do indeed happen to think ALL my views are "reasoned, intelligent, and knowledgeable", but you apparently disagree. Does that make you just like your senator?

I truly do NOT care what attitude my elected officials have, I care solely on whether they adhere to the Constitution and the Principles this nation/state were founded on.

I have a hard time with his response! I don't expect a straw poll, but I certainly do expect listening to those who express opinions and more importantly that he seek input on some complex issues. In this Matheson came to the Utah Bankers Association to seek input as there is currently a major problem in how Mr. Obama directs the banks to lend more money while the FDIC is currently making it impossible for banks to do so. The bankers were all impressed with Matheson's request for input and listening on a topic he had not fully understand.
I agree that the politicians do get a lot of input from a lot of nut jobs, with whom I disagree, however if there is a tidal wave of input, I would sure hope he/she looks into the issue to understand both sides, but on most issues his/her core beliefs would be adequate w/o seeking major input.

TheLovelyJennifer wrote:

proutdoors wrote:

I truly do NOT care what attitude my elected officials have, I care solely on whether they adhere to the Constitution and the Principles this nation/state were founded on.

@PRO -- > ROTFLMFAO ... what a comedian ... I'm glad there aren't more like you .... Do You Vote?

TLJ

Not only do I vote, I participate in Caucus meetings, and hold neighborhood cottage meetings where candidates/issues are discussed. I realize to a progressive it is funny to expect........check that.........demand that politicians adhere and uphold trivial things like the Constitution, and to expect them to be people of Principle, rather than vote based on the whims of mush headed parasites, but I take great pride in valuing Principles and FREEDOM over selfish demands and childish wants!

TheLovelyJennifer wrote:

I don't b'lieve I can truly be called a progressive ... but I would hope voters would care about a whole lot more than a candidate understanding and abiding by the constitution, and expect them to have real honest American values ... so little of that in our political community these days ...

One would think a conscientious voter would also take into consideration a candidate's or incumbent's actual position on what he or she can and will do for the people they represent ... not all voters are mush-headed parasites (seems of late some politicians are, taking money from and giving favors to their favorites and saying Screw the People (i.e. voters)! An elected official is a Servant of the People first and foremost ... and if they have that particular focus, then they include the Constitution and American values in their platform as a matter of course.

TLJ

Your words tell me you ARE a progressive. Thinking that politicians are supposed to DO things for the people is a progressive concept. The government is NOT supposed to do things for the people, except for ONE thing<> protect individual liberty! That is it. They are NOT supposed to 'create' jobs, they are supposed to make sure the playing field is level as far as OPPORTUNITY and nothing else when it comes to jobs/economy. They are not supposed to GIVE anything, because the ONLY way they can give is to first TAKE. Every politician swears to uphold the CONSTITUTION, they do NOT swear to do the bidding of the people. That mindset is what has led this nation to the dismal abyss we see now.

So yes, you are indeed a progressive!

proutdoors wrote:

Your words tell me you ARE a progressive. Thinking that politicians are supposed to DO things for the people is a progressive concept. The government is NOT supposed to do things for the people, except for ONE thing<> protect individual liberty! That is it. They are NOT supposed to 'create' jobs, they are supposed to make sure the playing field is level as far as OPPORTUNITY and nothing else when it comes to jobs/economy. They are not supposed to GIVE anything, because the ONLY way they can give is to first TAKE. Every politician swears to uphold the CONSTITUTION, they do NOT swear to do the bidding of the people. That mindset is what has led this nation to the dismal abyss we see now.

So yes, you are indeed a progressive!

They already take: an annual salary that equal 4-5 times my own --- how does that level the playing field??


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dubob wrote:

TLJ,

Don't waste any more time debating Pro on the meaning of 'Progressive.' His definition of the term is not the same as yours, mine, and probably 95% of the rest of the country. Democrats (liberals) flock to the label like it’s akin to being anointed by the Pope. The rest of us shun it like the plague. Pro thinks it applies to ALL politicians regardless of party affiliation or political beliefs. He is obviously clueless in this regard.

Atta boy! You showed me, eh? To think only "libs" are progressive is beyond ignorant. Good hell, the FIRST progressive, and proudly so, POTUS was a Republican! You may have heard of him, Teddy Roosevelt. Progressives are people who want the size of government to progress, and who through various means grow the size/power of the government, and thus LIMIT individual liberty. To be foolish enough to think that only democrats fall into this category is exactly why people are the direct cause of the ills this nation is going through.

As for the lovely Jennifer, you missed not only the forest but the entire planet! Reread what I posted and try and use some brain power to pay attention............thanks for playing.

Are you truly that STUPID? Do you actually think we arrived at this point by actions/policies put in place in the last 2 decades only? Question for you bright eyes: When was Social Security put into play? When was the Federal Reserve and the Income tax put into play? When did the Federal Government get involved in public education? When did National Parks come to fruition? Talk about clueless!

Can you tell me which president took us off the gold standard, which has led to incredible inflation and DEBT? Guess which party that president belonged to? Progressives have been around for more than a century, and for you to suggest that only democrats are progressive shows an immense amount of ignorance and arrogance. Things take time, and the major causes of our vast debt were put in motion DECADES ago! Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, Farm Subsidies, Corporate Welfare, Federally Funded Education, and a boat load of other entitlement programs were not instilled merely by democrats. EVERY US President over the last 100+ years, save ONE <Calvin Coolidge> have signed progressive policies/programs into law. Reagan was the best after Coolidge, but EVERY other POTUS has aided and abetted in the massive growth of the Federal Government, its debt, its power, and its corruption. Rick Perry will NOT reduce the size/scope/power/corruption of the federal government in any measurable way if he were to be elected President! He is more progressive than GWB, who was NOT a conservative. The sad thing is, you either already know that and are in denial, or you are a shining example of how the public education system has dumbed down the citizenry. Neither scenario bodes well for you. There is hope however, stop being ignorant by getting educated!

dubob wrote:

This is, after all, 2011 and he really should get himself and his outdated political beliefs in tune with the rest of the folks actually living in the 21st Century.

I couldn't come up with a more progressive statement than the one above. You actually think we have progressed to the point where the Constitution and the Principles this nation was founded on are "outdated". Woodrow Wilson would be proud of you.

proutdoors wrote:

Are you truly that STUPID? Do you actually think we arrived at this point by actions/policies put in place in the last 2 decades only? Question for you bright eyes: When was Social Security put into play? When was the Federal Reserve and the Income tax put into play? When did the Federal Government get involved in public education? When did National Parks come to fruition? Talk about clueless!

Can you tell me which president took us off the gold standard, which has led to incredible inflation and DEBT? Guess which party that president belonged to? Progressives have been around for more than a century, and for you to suggest that only democrats are progressive shows an immense amount of ignorance and arrogance. Things take time, and the major causes of our vast debt were put in motion DECADES ago! Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, Farm Subsidies, Corporate Welfare, Federally Funded Education, and a boat load of other entitlement programs were not instilled merely by democrats. EVERY US President over the last 100+ years, save ONE have signed progressive policies/programs into law. Reagan was the best after Coolidge, but EVERY other POTUS has aided and abetted in the massive growth of the Federal Government, its debt, its power, and its corruption. Rick Perry will NOT reduce the size/scope/power/corruption of the federal government in any measurable way if he were to be elected President! He is more progressive than GWB, who was NOT a conservative. The sad thing is, you either already know that and are in denial, or you are a shining example of how the public education system has dumbed down the citizenry. Neither scenario bodes well for you. There is hope however, stop being ignorant by getting educated!

BEST POST IN MONTHS. BRAVO, SIR...BRAVO.