Calling Congress

Has reading or watching the news over the past few days tended to put you in a good mood or bad mood?

3986 people responded to YouGov's poll today.  42% were grumpy, 20% were happy, and 38% didn't really care at all.

Our legislators won't be hearing from the 38%.  The 20% may express their joy through campaign contributions, but I can't remember the last time I dialed a politician's office to thank her.  

That leaves 42% of us to do the heavy lifting.  

It's impossible to avoid what's going on in Washington; there are headlines everywhere.  Can it be that Medicaid and Medicare are being eyed in this round of budget cuts?  I called my Congressman to find out.

Usually, my questions are met with I haven't spoken to her today but I will be sure that she gets your message.  Today, was different.  I was told that the Congressman had just told the White House that he and eight others are not necessarily going to go along with taking from those who can least afford it.  

The young man who answered the phone was delighted that I called.  He was happy to tell me that although the Congressman voted today to send the budget bill to Committee because without a budget the government would shut down, he and 8 other Republicans sent a letter to the White House expressing their hope that SNAP and WIC and Medicaid remain untouched.

He didn't argue when I said that perhaps shutting down the current White House's agenda wasn't necessarily a bad idea.  I ignored the fact that Medicare wasn't included and asked him to thank his boss for looking out for the hungry and the ill.  

He paused, just for a moment, then said how much he and the Congressman enjoyed, wanted, and most of all needed calls like these.  They are very useful when we present our case.  We can show that we are speaking for our constituents.

He went on in that vein until he began to lose steam. We said very cordial goodbyes and I promised to call him tomorrow about something else.  He's looking forward to hearing from me again.

The people who answer our elected officials' phones, who greet you when you walk in the door, are usually young and interested in governing.  They are on the constituent services, not the campaign, side.   Sometimes, especially now as we fight despair, it' s easy to  forget how idealistic patriotism can make you, especially when you have something as wonderful as American Democracy (used to be).

This young man was reminding me that democracy isn't easy, that it only works if we participate.  He was telling me that my call was useful, a necessary part of getting what I wanted.  He assured me that I was heard.

I felt connected to the process, and I liked it.  If you want to make your own call, click here.  

It's a simple way to fight despair.