Conctacting a Congressman

[I_AM_SLICEMAN]

I Just called my congressman for my district. Talked to a secretary. I asked the question that I and some other people are wodnetring, I asked if he could mail me the answer and gave my name and address... 2 questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you think ill actually receive a mail from him? If not how long should I wait to bug and call again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Has anyone contacted their congressman? If so how long did it take to receive the letter?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks

[indy500fan]

you may not get a reply from the actual congressman, but you will most likely get a reply from somebody. they have to keep up their PR :D .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jw, what was the question?

[frogact]

Yes, you will get a reply. Sometimes it can take weeks or months, but you will get a reply.

[I_AM_SLICEMAN]

I dont want to start a debate, and want this to go off topic but it was:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If so many people are agasint the Iraq War, why hasnt congress invoked the War Powers Act?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its my opinion, respect that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SO you think I will receive a letter? Good, I dont care if its from Jimbo him self (leave last name out ;)) but I would like an explanation, just cuz im 15, I shouldnt be ignored.

[Bubsa]

Yeah I don't see any reason why you wouldn't. It just mgiht not be soon or actually from the congressman. Well, that's how it works with your local MP in Britain.

[Antrune]

Whats a congressman :oops: :oops: :oops:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(BTW hey slice, hows things going :P)

[Guest GhostRanger]

If so many people are agasint the Iraq War, why hasnt congress invoked the War Powers Act?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: I am keeping this completely factual to avoid a debate. What I am about to say is not necessarily my opinion and vice versa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right now America has voted in 55 Republican senators, 44 Democratic senators, and 1 liberal leaning independant. This means that right now, about 55% of America most likely don't want the Iraq War to just end right now. Whether or not that 55% believes the War is being badly handled, there's a good chance that that 55% believed at one point we should be in Iraq, and pulling out right now would be worse than staying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have to remember also that what you hear in the media isn't always accurate. For instance, according to Gallup and USA Today, in Spring 2003 when we went to war, 76% of America supported the war in Iraq. That number is overwhelming. Things might have changed since then, but it would be suicide to pull out right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furthermore, the media will always make it sound worse than it is. A lot of people don't believe we shoudl be in Iraq right now, but at the same time, a lot of people DO believe we should be in Iraq. You'll never hear about that other half, but currently, that other half is in control of Congress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that...in a nutshell...is why...

[nomad30]

:o well it depends on if hes busy or not for me his secratery replyed when i went to him and got letter a few days later....... :roll:

[weezcake]

Yes, youll get a reply, but probably from one of his staff members. Your representative is way to busy to be reading all the letters; the staff reads them, and then advises him on what he should do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If so many people are agasint the Iraq War, why hasnt congress invoked the War Powers Act?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They could do this.. but a majority of the senators are supportive of the war, both democrat and republican. And besides, the War Powers Act has never been too effective; it conflicts with the Presidential role of Commander and Chief.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a short little explanation. :)

[I_AM_SLICEMAN]

I myself really isnt agasint the war. My dads a Vet, USAF for 20 years, he was there in Desert Storm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The question is becuase I hear some congressman agasint the war. I know it was never to affect but they could always try it? Get our troops out of there in 3 months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ant- a congressman is like a represntative for congress in your county. well more of a congressional district, NJ has 13. BTW im good man drop me a PM from time to time please :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we speak Im listening to Billy Joel , We didnt start the fire, I SUGGEST ALL OF YOU DOWNLOAD IT AND TAKE IN THE LYRICS 8) .

[Mercifull]

Did you say you called or wrote a letter?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are more likely to get a response by writing a letter (even if its only from an aide) than by calling. Calling tends to get your message chinese whispered around the building until noone actually knows what you wanted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What were the questions that you asked? They also will kinda decide if you get a response back. You say you are 15 which shouldn't really make a difference but if you asked a stupid question its unlikely you'll get a response.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"If so many people are agasint the Iraq War, why hasnt congress invoked the War Powers Act? "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was that the question you asked? Mmmm good question I guess. But its unlikely you will get a reply about it. If you read deeply into what the War Powers Resolution is then you'd understand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its the War Powers Resolution not the War Powers Act which is what limits the power of the President. Its not so simple as Congress voting against the Presidents decision. And even if it was you have to understand that the Resolutions means that the President needs permission from Congress before going to war, so that means that congress in general are FOr the war in Iraq.

 

 

 

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/warpower.htm

[I_AM_SLICEMAN]

Did you say you called or wrote a letter?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are more likely to get a response by writing a letter (even if its only from an aide) than by calling. Calling tends to get your message chinese whispered around the building until noone actually knows what you wanted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What were the questions that you asked? They also will kinda decide if you get a response back. You say you are 15 which shouldn't really make a difference but if you asked a stupid question its unlikely you'll get a response.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"If so many people are agasint the Iraq War, why hasnt congress invoked the War Powers Act? "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was that the question you asked? Mmmm good question I guess. But its unlikely you will get a reply about it. If you read deeply into what the War Powers Resolution is then you'd understand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its the War Powers Resolution not the War Powers Act which is what limits the power of the President. Its not so simple as Congress voting against the Presidents decision. And even if it was you have to understand that the Resolutions means that the President needs permission from Congress before going to war, so that means that congress in general are FOr the war in Iraq.

 

 

 

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/warpower.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didnt tell them im 15, which but anyways. The Reso and the Act are the same thing. I KNOW that you have to get congress to say go to war BUT, mind you the war started when? New Congress members in office now eh? They see whats happening and now they can rethink.

 

 

 

I know like I sound like one of thoe people whos gonna camp outside Bush's house, but im Really neutreul about it all. The Secretary said thats a VERY good question- im not tryign to make my self sound super sophisticated cuz I cant even spell the word but IMO that was a decent enough question to get a response back SOMEHOW/ SOME WAY/SOME ONE from within the congress.

[weezcake]

The War Powers Act and Resolution are the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn't matter if you're 15; you're a POTENTIAL voter (in three years, register to vote! :wink:). If they ignore you, they would be losing votes. :)

[I_AM_SLICEMAN]

The War Powers Act and Resolution are the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn't matter if you're 15; you're a POTENTIAL voter (in three years, register to vote! :wink:). If they ignore you, they would be losing votes. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF I dont receive my lettter within 6 weeks I will call and see whats up. If they give me crap I will tell them that Jimbo will NOT receive my vote when im 18, and many other peoples related/associated with me.

[Barihawk]

They should write back. I had an active correspondance with our US Representative for over 2 years. Got 2 or 3 letters from him a month.

[Mercifull]

 

The War Powers Act and Resolution are the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn't matter if you're 15; you're a POTENTIAL voter (in three years, register to vote! :wink:). If they ignore you, they would be losing votes. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF I dont receive my lettter within 6 weeks I will call and see whats up. If they give me crap I will tell them that Jimbo will NOT receive my vote when im 18, and many other peoples related/associated with me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Write a letter, they wont ignore it.

[I_AM_SLICEMAN]

 

 

The War Powers Act and Resolution are the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn't matter if you're 15; you're a POTENTIAL voter (in three years, register to vote! :wink:). If they ignore you, they would be losing votes. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF I dont receive my lettter within 6 weeks I will call and see whats up. If they give me crap I will tell them that Jimbo will NOT receive my vote when im 18, and many other peoples related/associated with me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Write a letter, they wont ignore it.

 

 

 

I understand hes busy rather then asking peoples questions, so Ill give it time, then wil go to a letter.

 

 

 

Thanks all for the help and advice, I was debating posting here and im Glad I did.

[stevester77]

 

Did you say you called or wrote a letter?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are more likely to get a response by writing a letter (even if its only from an aide) than by calling. Calling tends to get your message chinese whispered around the building until noone actually knows what you wanted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What were the questions that you asked? They also will kinda decide if you get a response back. You say you are 15 which shouldn't really make a difference but if you asked a stupid question its unlikely you'll get a response.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"If so many people are agasint the Iraq War, why hasnt congress invoked the War Powers Act? "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was that the question you asked? Mmmm good question I guess. But its unlikely you will get a reply about it. If you read deeply into what the War Powers Resolution is then you'd understand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its the War Powers Resolution not the War Powers Act which is what limits the power of the President. Its not so simple as Congress voting against the Presidents decision. And even if it was you have to understand that the Resolutions means that the President needs permission from Congress before going to war, so that means that congress in general are FOr the war in Iraq.

 

 

 

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/warpower.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didnt tell them im 15, which but anyways. The Reso and the Act are the same thing. I KNOW that you have to get congress to say go to war BUT, mind you the war started when? New Congress members in office now eh? They see whats happening and now they can rethink.

 

 

 

I know like I sound like one of thoe people whos gonna camp outside Bush's house, but im Really neutreul about it all. The Secretary said thats a VERY good question- im not tryign to make my self sound super sophisticated cuz I cant even spell the word but IMO that was a decent enough question to get a response back SOMEHOW/ SOME WAY/SOME ONE from within the congress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yah basically what its about is the president is allowed to send troops wherever he wants but if it isn't approved by congress withing 2 months, all troops must leave. Sadly, due to a rise in power in the executive branch we haven't "officially" declared war since we did it to Japan back in WW2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I personally have emailed my senator's/representative's 30+ times on different legislation even though im only 17. I usually get a responce back iwthin a few days. Usually its from a staff member but sometimes its from the congressman himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you worried about not getting your voice heard dont worry....a government teacher of mine was friends with a congressmen and she explained to me how it works. Basically, usually the congressman will never see your original email\letter. But, secretaries have to report at the end of the day the content of the emails\letters that came in. The congressmen will then briefly give his opinion to his secretary and the secretary will type up a responce. Also, the congressman is free to view the letter\email should he choose too.