What Do I Do? Representative Republican Democracy Suck.

[bleedingedge]

I live in a Republican district in OH. My representative is Pat Tiberi, Republican. Both my state senators are Republicans.

I want to write to a state Democrat in Congress (not some Democratic party operative, but a real live elected Democrat) re: this whole "Waaaah, we want a tape of the celebrities making fun of us" Republican bullshit. The Congressional web site says that courtesy dictates I contact Tiberi since he's my rep. Well, every letter I've ever sent to the guy has been a very polite "Well, fuck your liberal sensibilites and the environment too" brush off, so I consider that route a dead end.

What should I do?

[Commendatori]

1. Move.

I've moved several times because I didn't want my tax dollars going to Republican politicians. Unfortunately, I can't afford to move out of the country. I'd be long gone if I could.

[Selwynn]

4. Wow, like that's so easy.

Some people don't have that as an option.

[Commendatori]

7. Some people don't have any options at all.

I was just answering with what I would do and have done.

I also said I couldn't afford to move overseas, so I am aware that some people have limited options. However, thanks for your insight, thanks to which I now know that not everyone can leave town within the continental United States as well. I thought those limitations extended only to Europe, because I automatically assume that everyone is in the same situation I'm in.

When people ask for advice on this board, some of the answers aren't possible for the original poster. Be sure to enlighten us with "some people don't have that as an option" for every reply of every such advice post, or else some poor sap might actually move, buy a certain type of car, etc, when they couldn't!

Thanks again. I learned a lot.

[Selwynn]

11. You're welcome! Always happy to help out a benighted mind

I always appreciate someone greatful for gentle guidance and instruction from peers.

Ok, are we done with the sarcasm now? Ok. :D


I think my point would have been that the question really was, what political options are there for me to get my voice heard when my representatives do not actually "represent me."

Of the many possibilities - "move" is probably the least likely to be possible, and not simple in the slightest. So just posting a response that says "Move." in the title is obviously going to prompt others to say, "yeah like that's so easy" which only really means "I don't think that's a particular good answer to the guys dillemma."

Now, that's just my opinion, that the "move" answer isn't a particularly good one, but as it is a discussion board, I guess its ok for me to have my opinion I suppose.

Despite your sarcasm, it actually does seem like you assume everyone is in the same situation you are in when you respond to the post and say "move" and say "that's what I did." All I was saying is, well since that's not possible for a quite a few people, any one ELSE have any bright ideas?

The only reason I posted so much to this was simply because your post back to me was so totally over the top and unecessary.

My suggestion would be to look for opportunities to get involved politically in your local community. Look for activist organizations that might be around you, or if you don't have those, consider even starting your own - getting the word out on your home streets. Building a movement. Then get those people elected to school boards and city council. Organize, and then through that organization contact and connect with larger poltical groups, even lobbying groups.

Now none of that is easy, and you're specific circumstances might make that not possible. But I think you'll have more success if you unite your voice with the voices of others than you will if you just try to go it alone. Getting connected with larger activist or lobbying organizations means you can impact a larger group of congressional representaives for the issues that matter to you most.

I can't garuntee that will work for your situation, but its a thought.

[Commendatori]

13. You asked others? When?

"All I was saying is, well since that's not possible for a quite a few people, any one ELSE have any bright ideas?"

You didn't ask others for bright ideas, you simply directed something obvious and unnecessary to me. I stand by the sarcasm. Just as you're entitled to your opinion of my post, I'm entitled to my opinion of yours.

When someone describes Repugs as (greedy, ignorant, or insert another abusive term), invariably some moron will throw in "well, they're not ALL like that!" No kidding - just as there's a Zell Miller in the Democratic Party, there's bound to be a few decent Repugs. Yet it's absolutely inevitable that some moron will throw that in.

Well, I could have advised just about anything and gotten "that doesn't work for everyone." I advised what worked for me. Silly me for not throwing in "...if it's within your financial capabilties," and thank God there are people out there to to put me in my place and let me know that not everyone can afford it.

Should I ever answer a request for advice again, can I clear it with you? Please? I wish to benefit from your depth.

[Selwynn]

14. Oh whateverm man..... this is just ridiculous.

You're right, you're always right. Whatever you say is best. I'll never comment on anythig you say unless it is unquestioning cheerleading support.

I can't fucking believe a one fucking sentence long post has warranted this much bullshit from you.

[Commendatori]

18. Likewise. Your answer couldn't have been more

obvious or predictable, but I'll throw your "You're right, you're always right, whatever you say is best" right back at you. I can't believe you had to throw in your bullshit predictable two cents and then get whiny when I respond to it, but whatever you say is best.

You can go to sleep tonight secure in the knowledge that without you, someone might have jumped into an impulsive move without being ready for it.

[Kanary]

15. What a charming thing to say.

Guess *you're* the one with all the answers, eh?

[Selwynn]

16. Ok, so clearly I'm not the only one that thought it seemed out of place.

[Commendatori]

20. Mine was actual advice. Yours was not, it was sarcasm directed

at me. Explain to me how your post was more helpful than mine was.

You may not have liked my advice, but you needed a sarcastic kickstart to come up with other ideas.

[Kanary]

23. Mine was *helpful* because it gave support to the poster

If you're in a rasty mood, go attack some freepers to express all the bile you feel.

Attacking Dems is NOT helpful, and certainly not productive.

Kanary

[Commendatori]

24. First of all, I don't think one small argument

is that destructive. When mods are recruited here, they ask for liberals and centrists. The Freepers you think I should attack are actually the "we must agree on everything" types that you want us to be here, and even the admins don't feel that way.

Second, if not being attacked first, I wouldn't have responded.

I wouldn't live in a place that was predominantly Republican, and I actually have moved. I wrote advice (designed to deprive the fascists of tax revenue) to someone who was free to ignore it. It looks like he was able to do it. Too bad that you, who thinks that "attacking" each other is such a disaster, couldn't follow your own ideal.

No one can have differences of opinion and be on the same side anymore? Sheesh.

[Selwynn]

25. I just updated my ignore list and moved on.

[Kanary]

21. No, and it's time for Dems to stop devouring each other!

[Commendatori]

22. No worries, a simple difference of opinion isn't going to change

either of our minds on issues. I'm not going to vote for Bush just because Sellwyn and I don't like each other's attitudes.

[Commendatori]

19. I'm the one with one answer.

I don't claim to have them all, I just have one that I've tried twice.

I note that your post was no more helpful to the original poster than you seem to think mine was.

[calico1]

2. I would go ahead and write to a Dem Rep

Just let them know you already wrote to the Rep one and did not get a satisfactory response.

[JHBowden]

3. Find other Democrats

Find out who is running, and start raising $$$. If it is a conservative district you may not be able to run the most liberal guy in the world, but at least they'll be representing you and not the freepers.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Start fighting for election reform

Not an answer to your short-term troubles, but since you can't move you might as well try to pave the way to a more bearable life politically speaking further down the road.

[MuseRider]

6. I am in the

same situation being in Kansas. I write to mine anyway and get the same responses you get but I just go ahead and write to others as well and I also call them. Sometimes I feel a bit like a pain in the ass but I do tell them that I am not a constituant, I tell them where I am from and that I just wanted to communicate or send support to a Democrat, someone who would listen. You would be surprised, sometimes I even get an answer.

[Beware the Beast Man]

8. Whereabouts in Ohio are you?

Out here in the Eastern Cleveland suburbs, our rep is Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, a Dem, and from what I hear a pretty damn good one.

[bleedingedge]

10. Westerville - Northeast 'Burb of CMH. <eom>

[calimary]

9. Welcome to DU! Frankly, you STILL need to write to them. Or call.

YES, I know you'll feel like you're sowing seeds onto barren ground. DOESN'T MATTER. DO IT ANYWAY. The enemy needs to know that the opposition is

a) VERY MUCH, INDEED, THERE

b) VERY VOCAL

c) and that they are (uh-oh!) present in HIS/HER VERY OWN DISTRICT. As in - his/her district is not as "safe" and mindless and harmless as he/she assumed or maybe was counting on.

These people are basically like banana slugs. Big and gross and disgusting. But they're at their best and slimiest when they're taking cover under something. When you lift the rock or the leaves or mulch they hide in, they're defenseless, because they're EXPOSED. AND THEN, THEY'RE VULNERABLE. AND THEY KNOW THIS.

The most wonderful thing you can do is to make sure they know you are there, and that you are ONTO them. And that you intend to remind them that THEY REPRESENT YOU, as well, and that there are more of you than they realize. AND, BECAUSE OF THE CRAP THIS WHITE HOUSE IS PULLING, there are MORE OF YOU EVERY DAY. It's OUR SIDE that's gaining traction, NOT theirs. Look no further than their precious Marriage DISCRIMINATION Amendment, pushed by Jesus w. bush, that went down in flames. There just weren't enough Americans into intolerance and codifying discrimination into our sacred documents to push this through. By All Means USE the defeat of the Marriage DISCRIMINATION Amendment (and - it is VITALLY IMPORTANT TO describe that amendment in EXACTLY those terms - that's what it IS) to prove your point.

You are the thorn in his/her heel. And you are not the only one. Your reps/senators are counting on keeping people like you silenced and intimidated. That you are bucking their tyranny is THE MOST PATRIOTIC, ALL-AMERICAN THING IMAGINABLE. And more and more people like you are beginning to become more defiant.

Eventually, some people who are not absolute evil will start to read the handwriting on the wall, and realize that the Good Guys (like you) are beginning to flex an awful lot of muscle (oh, Dear Savior, what's happening - where did THESE people come from? And, gasp, there are SO MANY of them! I'm surrounded!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Let him/her know that - AS A VOTER AND TAXPAYER - YOU PAID FOR THIS, and you have a right to know what you got for your money. And this guy/girl, as a public SERVANT, serves at your pleasure, and is paid by YOUR TAX MONEY (HAH! They're never gonna cut taxes THAT far!), as are all the staffers and assistants and other non-volunteers in his/her office.

And if you get some snotnose on the other end of the phone who gives you a hard time, and very likely thinks it's a good game to keep you on the line so you run up your long distance bill, YOU have the last laugh - because YOU CALLED TOLL FREE.

DO IT ANYWAY. If these people see they're up against a sufficiently large, vocal, activist, and formidable opposition, at least a few of them will start caving. They PANDER FOR A LIVING. And sooner or later, as WE GOOD GUYS get more vocal, activist, and greater in number, they're gonna realize that the people they need to start really listening to and pandering to - are US. NOT the dark siders. And as bush continues to sink in the polls, and Kerry/Edwards continues to gain momentum, and there's more shit that comes out about their precious bush, and the worse the scandals around him become, these reps of yours are going to realize that it's time to distance themselves from him and his. And you just might get your way. Or they'll realize that YOU just might be able to get A NEW REPRESENTATIVE.

DO IT ANYWAY. DO NOT BE DETERRED. Righteousness is on YOUR side. NOT theirs. They have an express ticket to hell. You don't.

AW SHOOT - sorry this is so long. Give her an inch and she'll take nine miles!

[bleedingedge]

12. YAHHHHH! Turns Out It Doesn't Matter

Turns out that everything I was going to say in a letter to a Dem has already been said by Mary Beth Cahill (campaign manager for Kerry), only better and without the overuse of "fuck" which would have accompanied my letter.

YOU MUST READ THIS. BEST.RANT.EVER. It's the last two paragraphs that make this a thing of beauty. All the rest is just the truth, which is novel in and of itself.

http://blog.johnkerry.com/dbunker/archives/002112.html#002112

Sorry for the lack of a link. Don't know how to do it and, frankly, haven't got the inclination to learn (I'm like our Dear President in that regard).

[Selwynn]

17. My suggestion:

In case you missed it in that other stupid exachange would be to look for opportunities to get involved politically in your local community. Look for activist organizations that might be around you, or if you don't have those, consider even starting your own - getting the word out on your home streets. Building a movement. Then get those people elected to school boards and city council. Organize, and then through that organization contact and connect with larger poltical groups, even lobbying groups.

Now none of that is easy, and you're specific circumstances might make that not possible. But I think you'll have more success if you unite your voice with the voices of others than you will if you just try to go it alone. Getting connected with larger activist or lobbying organizations means you can impact a larger group of congressional representaives for the issues that matter to you most.

I can't garuntee that will work for your situation, but its a thought.