Responses from my Republican representatives to my question.

[flamin lib]

Last month I sent out an alert about H.R. 3997, the Financial Data Protection Act. That bill had a provision that would require filing a proof of identity theft before being able to block access to your credit reports without your specific approval. Sort of like being prevented from installing a deadbolt until after you've been robbed. There is now a Senate version, S. 3568.

I sent letters to Joe Barton (R TX, district 6) and to both my senators; Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn alerting them to the provision so they could correct it in the Senate version of the bill. I also placed calls to all three offices. I have yet to hear from KBH or Joe Barton. I did, however, hear from Senator Cornyn.

Typical of the responses I get from my Republican congresspersons, Senator Cornyn referenced a completely different bill which addressed a totally different matter. The Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act which has passed and was signed by President Bush does what the title implies, it increases the penalties for stealing one's identity. Very good. It does not, however, address my concerns about being able to block access to my credit reports BEFORE my identity is stolen.

Sometimes I think these people can't read. The rest of the time I realize that they really don't care enough to address the concerns of us lowly voters. If you can't contribute thousands of $$ you don't get access.

I really don't expect to hear from KBH and if I do it will be a form letter extolling wondrous accomplishments of our fearless leader completely missing the point of my inquiry. That is all I've ever gotten in the past so I hold little hope of seeing a change in her behavior.

As for Joe Barton, he has yet to respond to any of my several inquiries. I guess with a $2.5 million campaign war chest he doesn't need to concern himself with mere constituents.