Feeling Really Helpless Today

[journalist3072]

I just need to vent, because I'm feeling especially helpless today.

As a disenfranchised resident of the District of Columbia, I have no U.S. Senator to write to, regarding challenging the electoral vote certification in Congress tomorrow.

As I'm sure everyone on here is aware of, DC residents don't have full representation in the US Congress. We have a Delegate in the House, Eleanor Holmes Norton, but she can't vote on the full floor of the House. And we have no Senator.

I considered writing to Senators Barbara Mukulski and Paul Sarbanes, since they represent Maryland. But then I thought "I'm not their constituent, so what would they care?"

In DC, we pay federal taxes just like everyone else. Yet when a national issue like challenging this election comes up, we have no recourse. We have no one in Congress to represent our interests.

[n2mark]

1. You are not alone!

Arizona does not have anyone either. The pukes are are lead by the nose by shrub. I also feel helpless and probably will never vote again. After years of voting, I now know my vote really doesn't count and those who are elected officials and who I help pay their salary do not give a ding dong about their constituents.

[LiberalEsto]

2. It's a shame about DC voters

but don't worry about not calling Sarbanes or Mikulski. They're both card-carrying members of the "Don't Rock the Boat" crowd in our gutless Democratic Party. I will be AMAZED if any of the Democratic senators actually stand up and fight the vote certification.

just call me "cynical in Maryland."

[MsTryska]

3. While it's a shame

about DC voters, i can see the merit of not having a senator from DC.

conflict of interest.

[journalist3072]

6. Huh?

What conflict of interest? There IS no conflict of interest in DC residents having FULL representation in the US Congress.

We pay federal taxes just like every other American citizen. We are being taxed without representation.

There are issues that come before Congress, that affect us, just like they affect every other American. Yet we have no one to represent our interests. We have no one to call and say "I want you to vote for (or against) this bill."

[MsTryska]

7. Well think of it this way.....

imagine your represntation was say....Tom Delay.



all the other politicos would be on his turf, and he can make their life as pleasant or difficult as he wishes.


they then have to decide how pleasant or difficult they want their life to be.



I understand your point, but imo, there was great wisdom in the way this country's rule was set up, especially in respect to checks and balances.

I think it's good that the Capitol is on neutral turf. Honestly I wouldn't want it any other way. I realize that leaves y'all out in the cold, but i think it would be bad news if DC itself was up for grabs.

[housewolf]

4. Call other senators

They may not send you a reply (which is something they generally reserve for consituents), but they'll take your call and it's added pressure. Actions that senators take affect all of us so it's our right (and responsibility) to make sure they know what we want. You can bet that all those paid lobbyist congregating in the halls of congress apply pressure to senators and representatives from states other than their own.

So.... start calling! Come on.... the morning is half gone already and tomorrow is the day. We need you! You can help.


I agree with you that DC representation needs to be fixed - it's just not right.

[Jo March]

5. Call any one of these Senators:

Even if they aren't "your" Senators, you can still contact them. They work in Congress which works for YOU. So, you are their boss in a way. :)

I am stuck with 2 rethugs in my state so I've been contacting other Senators. :) Hang in there. It seems bleak today but there is always tomorrow.

Now get to work! ;)

Senator Barbara Boxer, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Dick Durbin, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Russ Feingold, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Tom Harkin, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Jim Jeffords, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Edward Kennedy, 202/224-4543,
[e-mail]

Senator Patrick Leahy, [phone],
[e-mail]


Ten Senators:

1. Barbara Boxer

San Francisco
1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240
San Francisco, CA 94111
[phone]
[phone] fax

Washington D.C.
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
[phone]


2. Robert Graham

Washington, DC

524 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

Tallahassee

2252 Killearn Center Boulevard, Suite 300
Tallahassee, Florida 32309
Phone [phone]
TDD 850-894-2882
Fax [phone]
Toll Free 866-418-9569

*
email: http://graham.senate.gov/email.html


3. Edward Kennedy
http://kennedy.senate.gov/index_low.html
315 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

202/224-4543

2400 JFK Building
Boston, MA 02203
617/565-3170


4. Robert C. Byrd
311 Hart Building
Washington DC
202-224-3954

300 Virginia St. East, Suite 2630
Charleston, WV 2530
304-342-5855 phone
304-343-7144 Fax

email
http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html



5. Joseph Biden

Wilmington
1105 N. Market St.
Suite 2000
Wilmington, DE 19801-1233

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

201 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
TDD: 202-224-5652
E-mail: [e-mail]


6. Barbara A. Mikulski (MD)
The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski
Suite 709
Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
[phone]

Baltimore Office
Brown's Wharf
1629 Thames Street
Suite 400
Baltimore, Maryland 21231
410-962-4510 (phone)
410-962-4760 (fax)
410-962-4512 (TDD)


7. Jim Jeffords

Washington, D.C. Staff

413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
[phone]

Montpelier
453 Stone Cutters Way
Suite 1
Montpelier, VT 05602
[phone]
[phone] (Only in Vermont)

Email:
http://jeffords.senate.gov/contact-form.html


8. Patrick Leathy
Washington office
433 Russell Senate Office Bldg
(at Constitution and Delaware)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
[phone]

Burlington office
199 Main Street, 4th Floor
Burlington, VT 05401
[phone]
1-800-642-3193

[e-mail]


9. Russ Feingold
Middleton
1600 Aspen Commons
Middleton, WI 53562-4716
[phone]
TDD [phone]
Washington, DC
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4904
[phone]
TDD [phone]

Email:[e-mail]
http://feingold.senate.gov/contact.html



10. Richard J. Durbin

Washington, DC
332 Dirksen Senate
Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
[phone]
[phone] - fax

Chicago
230 South Dearborn St.
Suite 3892
Chicago, IL 60604
[phone]
[phone] - fax

Email:
http://durbin.senate.gov/sitepages/contact.cfm

[forgethell]

8. Maybe

Maryland could re-absorb all of DC excpet for the federal buildings. Let no one live there. Everyone would be represented.

[journalist3072]

9. My Email to Sen. Hillary Clinton

Senator Clinton:

I have long admired your courage, conviction, and willigness to do what is right.

Now, I respectfully write to you to ask that one more time, you display that courage and conviction, when both houses of Congress meet on tomorrow, January 6, to certify the results of the November 2 election.

Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and others are expected to formally challenge the results from the state of Ohio, and as you know, they only need ONE Senator to sign on to their challenge.

I am asking you to be that Senator.

At best, the Presidential results from Ohio are suspect. Mr. Walden O'Dell, Chief Executive of Diebold, wrote in an August 2003 fundraising letter to Republicans that he was "committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the president next year."

Moreover, residents from predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Ohio reported that there were not enough voting machines placed in minority neighborhoods, causing voters to wait in line in excess of 4 hours, with many people leaving in disgust, without voting. Meanwhile, predominantly White neighborhoods had the necessary voting machines, with some waiting only 15 minutes to vote. (Source: Several Factors Contributed to 'Lost' Voters in Ohio, from the Washington Post).

It is clear that the Republican Party ensured every impediment possible to slow down the voting process for minority voters, many of whom wanted to vote overwhelming for Senator Kerry.

In light of all this and more, we cannot trust the results of the Ohio presidential election.

Please stand for all that is decent in our society. Please stand for the right to a free and fair election. Please stand with Rep. John Conyers on tomorrow.

Thank you and God Bless.