I urge all and sundry US citizens to twitter, FB or otherwise communicate to their congresspersons their wishes with regard to the coming votes on resolutions concerning the use of force in Syria. pl
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Colonel Lang, I have emailed and called my Representative and both Senators telling them my husband and my feelings, No military action in Syria. If the UN does not support it, if the Arab Nations do not support it and if the American people do not support it what is the Obama Administration and the Neocons in Congress thinking of.
I emailed my congressman Steve King in Iowa’s 4th.
Though there’s rarely an Arab he’s not willing to bash, there’s also rarely a proposal from Obama that he’s not willing to kill.
Iowa has some history of pacifism dating back to the 19th century, so hopefully he’ll vote the right way.
In a few weeks time it’ll be time to ‘discuss’ the budget and the government running out of money!!!!
So if this war was to start, given current economic realities, would the representatives ask us to pay more taxes, forget about SS, medicare, fixing the roads, school money, etc, etc.. or would the congress, at least those in favor of war, be offering their own salaries, health care, benefits, etc to cover the war budget?
http://activism.thenation.com/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11935&tag=femail935
Colonel,
I’ve written my Congress people. I am old fashion. Young staffers will have to read my letters to input me on the no column.
What is frightening in a Democratic bastion, Maryland, the Congressional vote tally lists two yes votes and one undecided.
After living through the Gulf of Tonkin and Iraq Invasion Congressional Votes for War, the Syrian case is pathetic. The powers to be simply don’t care what American citizens think or say anymore. Politicians are doing just what their handlers tell them to do.
I had been surprised that the Sequestration had been cutting so sharply into the DOD’s budget. I shouldn’t have been. A third Middle East War with Syria, Hezbollah and Iran will open the contractor’s cash flood gates wide open.
It worked over here in the UK. It was precisely because Tory MPs were faced with a torrent of people loudly complaining about Cameron’s enthusiasm for attacking Syria via the ‘social media’ — and presenting cogent arguments — that his assumption that he could railroad his policy through turned out wrong.
Fear of articulate and informed constituents can put some spine into those who are supposed to represent them. And if our representatives — in the U.K. and the U.S. alike — can recover some kind of spine, we may be at least some way to restoring constitutional government, in both our countries.
Just called all three. The staffers at the two Senatorial offices didn’t even ask my name and contact info. Hopefully it’s because they’re being overwhelmed by the Nos.
This issue is certainly a test: do we live in a democracy, or something else? If not, what kind of “government” do we have? I cannot think of a similar case when a super-majority of the American people are against an issue, yet their representatives (may) vote for it. There is a lot of risk involved in this, and not just internationally. How will the people react if both parties fail them?
I tried to put this up as a separate post, but typepad is not handshaking with my iPad…
Here’s the contact information for members of Congress:
Not to step on COL Lang’s thread, but the somewhat secret truth of contacting members of Congress is that they only really respond to phone traffic. They’re set up for emails, faxes, twitter, etc, but phone calls are what really drive the action!
To assist members of the SST community, you’ll find the House of Representatives phone directory here:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/
And the one for the Senate is here:
http://www.senate.gov/general/resources/pdf/senators_phone_list.pdf
And remember, be polite with the staffers.
Good luck!
I have also contacted my Maryland Representative and Senators (as well as the White House) strongly opposing any action in Syria as there is no US interest at stake here at all- but a lot of foolish risk.
Adam Silverman
“the somewhat secret truth of contacting members of Congress” My. My. I never knew that in spite of having testified on the hill a few hundred times. pl
Thank you for this easy-find listing of all the Sen/Rep Washington numbers.
Who’s fooling whom ? McCain owned by Syrian american woman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMBn0qzw2as
Any harm in calling them every day? Or calling their Washington and local offices every day?
Called my member of the House and spoke to a nice staffer.
Called Chuck and the line was busy.
Called Gillibrand and the message said I would be shunted to voice mail due to the high volume of calls. Then the voice mail box was at capacity and not accepting messages!
Ended up emailing the two senators.
NY Times says characterizing the congressional call ratio as 100-to-1 against is vastly overstating support for the strike.
We have called RI’s 3 twice but u never really know what staffers pass on
Yes, I telephoned both of my senators and my representative.
I have telephoned all three in the past and what was different this time was that the staffers who answered the telephones
cut me off when I tried to elaborate why attacking Syria was such a bad idea. I hope this is a sign that they are being deluged with phone calls. I also sent them emails urging that
they support impeaching the president should Syria be attacked without congressional authorization.
Wrote my rep Gerry Connolly (VA Dem 11th District) who was spot-lighted this AM in a WP piece opining he’ll ‘vote his conscience’ (meaning for the action) vice what he admits is assuredly an overriding 11th district majority against such action. I reaffirmed to him rather harshly that he votes the sensing of the people in the 11th not his conscience. He votes for & I’ll work hard to have him ousted next election. Fairfax,chock-a-block full of military (both active & retired), by my count is four square against such folly. I will pursue similar comms with our 2 august senators tomorrow.
I too contacted both senators and congressman.
Also e-mailed all on contact list to do likewise.
PBS Gwen Ifill guest reports ratio of no to
yes 98 percent or higher. Wait for Tuesday
Speech. Charts, graphs and PowerPoint?
From years spent volunteering in local congresscritter’s offices I’ve ascertained that phone calls from constituents are logged & the reason for each call is noted.
So, at minimum, there’s that reason to make an actual phone call to Senator Foghorn & Representative Leghorn’s offices.
Emailed all three. Said that a yes vote on attacking Syria would not only lose them my vote in the next election but would result in me vigorously campaigning against them in the next primary.
I got kicked off the local talk radio who was interviewing Judas McCaine for asking him who he represents now since Arizona is totally against his amnesty treason and bombing Syria.
Well, he heard me at least.
When I called I was told that my rep Renee Elmers was voting nay, however both of my Senators, Burr and Hagan seem to be in favor of limited action, as if a limit can be placed on war. I will be calling and emailing both Senators again probably several times. I have also emailed the White House and the DNC.
I am a died in the wool Democrat and supported Obama with time and money, but this issue goes beyond political parties. We the people do not want another war and we need to be listened to. My husband who dislikes the tea party intensely agreed that our elected leaders need to start listening to us and not make their political careers their number one priority.
Most, if not all, of the members of the House have one or more “local” offices in their districts. Senators may have such offices around a state as well. It would be useful also to call or fax the local office of the person, and if it is not far from you and there is time to do so, to go by there and politely and briefly tell them that the resolution should be defeated.
Sir,
I know you’re partially teasing, but the contact advice was for responding to constituents’ inputs as separate from senior officials and subject matter experts testifying or responsiveness to major donors. The research shows the latter’s interests track with actual positions and votes taken by members of Congress. Not that that would surprise you or anyone else.
I’m shocked, shocked that there’s politics going on in this establishment…
That approach could well work. Officeholders whose political career ambitions outweigh their after-office payout ambitions could be persuaded by enough credible promises to vote for them next election if they vote “against” and vote against them next election if they vote “for”.
If enough of our elected leaders realize that enough of us will get revenge against their political careers next election if they vote “yes”, they may be moved to vote “no”.
Those elected leaders who are prioritising their after-office financial careers will vote “yes” regardless. But those who are prioritising their stay-in-office political careers might be moved by enough promises of electoral revenge against their political careers for voting “yes” to vote “no” instead.
I sent my congressman, Lamar Smith, a “please vote against military action in Syria” email last Friday and his office just sent what I consider to be a gratifyingly substantive reply:
===============
Dear Mr. Thomson,
Thank you for contacting me about the conflict in Syria. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
Over the last two weeks, I have spoken with hundreds of constituents who are overwhelmingly opposed to a military attack on Syria. I have received over 2,000 emails, letters, and phone calls from constituents and 95% oppose attacking Syria.
I share my constituents’ concerns. If the House were to vote today on launching military strikes against Syria, I and a majority of Members would vote “no.”
We should not commit our Armed Forces to an uncertain goal, with few allies, and no friends in another country’s civil war. The President said on August 31 that, “we cannot resolve the underlying conflict with our military.” That is a reason to oppose military action, not endorse it.
Be assured that I will have your views in mind as I continue to monitor the situation in Syria.
For more information about my work in Congress or to send me an electronic message, please visit the 21st District’s website, http://lamarsmith.house.gov .
Sincerely,
Lamar Smith
Member of Congress