Anytime a truly controversial bill is introduced, specifically if it will affect me or mine, I actually DO look it up and read it. For those that deserve the attention, I DO, as I've been taught, contact my representatives, House, Senate, or other applicable elected official.
The very few times that I've actually needed to contact my representatives, Mike Rogers and his team have listened. I know they've listened because they've always responded with a response directly addressing my concerns.
Even when my opinions and requests have contradicted others, the response from Mike Rogers has always been intelligent, well-informed, and personally helpful.
IF I've received responses at all from senators and the like, they've been meaningless form letters. I can't emphasize enough how much I respect Mike Rogers for his consistently insightful responses.
I contacted my representatives about SOPA/PIPA yesterday via email and twitter. Thus far, Mike Rogers is the only one to respond...with the following:
Dear MyNameHere:
Thank you for contacting me with regard to H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). It is good to hear from you.
As you may know, H.R. 3261, would authorize the Attorney General to seek court orders against a U.S. directed foreign website committing or facilitating online piracy. A very similar bill, S.968 the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) in the Senate. Both pieces of legislation are intended to protect consumers but the potential for overreach by the U.S. Department of Justice is a very real concern. Although this legislation is well-meaning I am very concerned with the language as introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition the free speech afforded to American citizens by the U.S. Constitution should never be compromised and the imprecise bill language could threaten that. H.R. 3261 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, of which I am a not member. If this matter comes to the House floor I will remember your thoughts on the matter.
Thank you again for contacting me. If you would like to receive further information on issues of importance to you, please log on to my website at http://mike-rogers.house.gov. I hope to hear from you again soon.
Sincerely,
Mike Rogers Member of Congress
For now, I'm just a very proud Alabamian to have a congressman who actually listens.
2 comments:
My personal voting history hasn't exactly paralleled those typical of Alabama, so I’m not surprised that responses might be contrary to my requests.
The thing that I most respect about Rogers is that the replies have always been quick and well-informed. You can tell that he or his staff are actually reading the bills and their emails. Of course, I could just be getting really lucky...enough to be catching an exceptionally good writer on “reply duty.” :-)
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