How accessable is your US Representative?

[paineinthearse]

In another post - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1768464 - WT2 describes his recent meeting with his US Rep in a breakfast constituant meeting.

This past week I spoke with my US Rep's political staffer and asked their plans for a town hall (there have been none in months, save those where $100 or more was requried for access).

I'm now curious how accessable your US Rep is???

[gizmo1979]

1. He's accessible but he doesn't listen.

[acmejack]

2. It is a waste of one's breath.

He (Lamar Smith) usually has his meetings in red friendly territory. He had one in my neighborhood and found the questioning a bit adversarial. He is bought and owned by the corporate interests around here.

[zanne]

3. I started a special file for his "reply" letters.

I want to see how many ways there are to say "Thank you for calling/writing me, but go to hell".

[chicagojoe]

4. Unfortunately, my Rep. is Hastert. 'Nuff said.

In all honesty, he does bring home the pork. Still a bushbot nonetheless.

[marions ghost]

5. good question

we need to put out ratings (a la consumer reports) about the responsiveness and performance of our representatives. Does anybody already do this?

[paineinthearse]

15. If not, sounds like a great project

How could this be accomplished?

[KarenS]

6. I honestly don't know if she does or not,,,,,

I wouldn't go anyway. It's bad enough that I receive the 'form-letter replies' when I email her,,,, I cannot stand to see her face and it's even worse to hear her voice,,,,

Marilyn Musgrave sucks.

BTW she only my Rep because of Colorado's redistricting effort,,,, I used to have Mark Udall,,,,,

[Joebert]

9. I live in Musgrave country too.

I don't even get form letters.

I wonder if I ran up to her in the street and yelled Abortion! if her head would explode.

Larimer County better try a little harder in 2006.

[unhappycamper]

7. My rep is Steve Lynch. He's a waste of air - completely useless.

I was going to say as useless as ***s on the ground, but I did not want to offend anyone.

[BornaDem]

8. I didn't vote because none of the choices...

fit my situation. I have a new Repuke congressman (not elected, I was gerrymandered into his district) and he doesn't even have an email address. Unless it's something I'm not aware of until the last minute, I don't call my rep to save my phone bill. I NEVER send regular mail to any of them anymore because I'm convinced nobody wants to touch it after the scares they've had. (Yeah, yeah, I know the mail is all "treated" before delivery and blahh, blahh, blahh.)

[PuraVidaDreamin]

10. Rep Bill Delehunt MA

He used to from what I understand, but rarely at all anymore.

[Nothing Without Hope]

11. Want to see what it CAN be? Look at Vermont's Bernie Sanders' web site:

http://bernie.house.gov

The town hall meeting info is right there on the right side of the home page, and the site is full of what he is doing. Would that all the reps were that accessible.

[Poppyseedman]

12. My representative is great

Every time I call or email, I get this wonderful response that he is very glad I am interested in the vital work he is doing for me.

The same form letter or email just warms the cockles of my heart knowing how important my views are to him.

I do find it amazing that each and every letter or email response I receive is exactly alike, he must have a very effective person dedicated to seeing that I feel represented.

Deep and abiding :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[OzarkDem]

13. Rep Sherrod Brown

He has several town hall meetings a year when he's back in the district. Always replies to emails and letters. Great guy.

[spooky3]

16. Favorite Brown line: "Pigs never look up when they're eating at the

trough." He shocked a journalist with this once. You can imagine the context (a less than ethical Rethug).

[paineinthearse]

14. This certainly is NOT a bell curve

but it is what I expected. How sad. If reps do not hold meetings with their constitients, who are they listening to? What's that you say, K Street?

[MountainLaurel]

17. Don't really have one

At least one with voting rights: Yes, I live in the District of Columbia, America's last colony.

[MaineDem]

18. Mike Michaud is great for meeting with constituents

He's back in the District every weekend. He's on the go from the time he lands at the airport until he's on the return flight to DC.

I don't always agree with him but he and his staff are VERY approachable.

[losdiablosgato]

19. I have Tom Delay, any questions?