[Average Guy]

I received a letter today from my congressman, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R), whom I have been happy to vote for without hesitation. The letter reads, in part:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding your support for H.R. 648, the Citizen's Self-Defense Act of 2003.

H.R. 648 states that [brief summary and history of bill follows]. Please be assured that should this bill reach the House floor for a vote, I will keep your views in mind.

Not "I will vote for it." Not "I will vote against it." But "I will keep your views in mind."

Of course, I know WHY: because it leaves wiggle room. "Hey, I kept their views in mind while I voted against them." I don't want to imply that this is a Republican thing, but I don't recall that Boxer or DiFi seemed to worry about taking the opposite of my position (and letting me know about it).

Thank God for the few politicians who actually take a stand BEFORE taking a poll.

:banghead:

[Yooper]

Did you pose a question in your communication, or did you provide your viewpoint? The reply suggests an answer to a person expressing a viewpoint. If you asked directly how they intend to vote on a bill, you should be entitled to a direct answer.

[Sergeant Bob]

I don't want to imply that this is a Republican thing, but I don't recall that Boxer or DiFi seemed to worry about taking the opposite of my position (and letting me know about it).
Yeah, my socialist congressbiotch has no trouble telling me she supports a new AWB.

I think alot of Republicans eat breakfast at John Kerry's Waffle House.

[Standing Wolf]

There's nothing like a shortage of elected misrepresentatives who try to seem as though they've said exactly what everyone wants to hear, without, however, actually saying anything.

As far as I'm concerned, they're spineless parasites.

[WilderBill]

"You can fool all of the people some of the time
and some of the people all the time" (A. Lincoln), but not if you take a real stand on anything!

It seems like most current polititians have taken CYA to a whole new level.

[Art Eatman]

A DiFi type knows that no gun-guy will ever vote for her, so it's easy for her to respond with some anti-gun natter. She doesn't lose anything.

Others are always concerned that they not offend somebody, since they don't really know if a letter is from a gun-guy or a shill for an anti-gun group. Re-election generally comes to those incumbents who least offend the various interest groups in their constituency.

Over-simplified, of course, but I ain't gonna write a book on politicos' reasoning...

:), Art

[Lone_Gunman]

Politicians who desire power above all else do not want to make a commitment on an issue that would compromise their future elections.