Here's how well our politicians are listening...

[Juna]

I sent Senator Carl Levin (D-MI, supporter of 1994 AWB ) a letter regarding gun control in October or November. His response was: this.

I sent him a new and different letter as soon as H.R. 1022 (the new AWB bill) was introduced. His reply is EXACTLY VERBATIM IDENTICAL to the one his office sent me 3 months ago!!! Here's his current response:

Thank you for contacting me about gun safety related legislation. I support sensible gun safety laws and strict enforcement of those laws to help stem the tide of crimes committed with firearms. I believe Congress can and should pursue legislative solutions to prevent gun violence without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens.

I was an original cosponsor of the Brady Law (P.L.103-159), which requires prospective handgun purchasers to undergo criminal background checks before purchasing firearms. Between 1994 and 1999, over 22 million background checks were completed and more than 536,000 felons, fugitives and other prohibited persons were prevented from illegally purchasing firearms. I also support extending the protections of the Brady Law to purchases made at gun shows, thereby closing the loophole that currently permits gun sales without criminal background checks.

I also support increased funding for law enforcement efforts aimed at curbing gun-related crime. I have worked to increase the number of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents and have supported funding for local prosecutors to target gun-related crimes. Between 1993 and 2000, strengthened enforcement efforts resulted in a 16 percent increase in the number of gun cases filed and a 41 percent increase in the number of offenders sentenced to more than five years in prison nationwide. I will continue to support funding for law enforcement efforts to ensure that our gun laws are strictly enforced.

If you would like to learn more about my views and record on this issue, I encourage you to visit the gun safety section of my website at [http://levin.senate.gov].

Best wishes.

Sincerely,
Carl Levin

Compare that to the link above, and it's WORD FOR WORD IDENTICAL!! What a crock of B.S.!!! :banghead: I guess that shows how well our letters are working!

 

[SoCalShooter]

That sucks, probably has not been to the office in like 10 years just pays a couple of secretaries to do his paperwork.

 

[Old Fuff]

I sent him a new and different letter as soon as H.R. 1022 (the new AWB bill) was introduced. His reply is EXACTLY VERBATIM IDENTICAL to the one his office sent me 3 months ago!!! Here's his current response:

Carl Levin is a "Progressive" (left-wing) Democrat and big time supporter of gun control legislation. Nothing will change his position short of being voted out of office. However he has no desire to return to private life, so if he gets enough letters from our side he might get a little concerned. Hammer him anyway.

 

[MattC]

With the availability of email and online communication forms to legislators, they do not have time to read each electronic message themselves. They have a set of issues with pre-designed emails to send in response to that type of issue, and office staff summarizes the communications for the legislator, fills in a few blanks sometimes on the reply, and sends you a stock response to let you know that you have been heard.

 

[Builder]

High and Mighty!

I pound his e-mail constantly as well as his Fax...He sends boiler plate response letters always...He believes he is untouchable at elections because he has been for many years...

He does not listen to his constituency and believes himself to be omnipotent! He will never support gun rights and many other long term politicians believe the same way...

We need term limits and accountability in Washington, talk to everyone you know and get the word out that he is a real problem as a Senator...He heads up the committee on the Iraq war...Feels he is above our plight in MI...

Take into consideration that morons put StabMEnow back in office and she has been voting anti-gun all along! The blame lays squarely on the people of this state...

 

[QuestionEverything]

Snail mail has a greater impact and is more likely to get you personalized answers. I believe it's an axiom among Congress critters that one piece of paper mail represents the opinions of 300 constituents. Reps get thousands and thousands of emails on lots of different topics, so most of the stuff you get in return will be form letters.

 

[Builder]

Snail mail...

4-8 weeks and has to clear security and sometimes does not get to the recipient, because of said security measures...I was told by an aide that they all respond to FAX...You are right about them ducking e-mails but GOA seems to get their attention...

 

[creitzel]

Don't feel bad, I got that same letter for my time spent writing him as well Oh, and he also decided to add me to his monthly email list, never mind that he takes the opposite position to me on just about every issue.

Maybe we should follow the advice in that thread about firing a politician.

Chris

 

[45Frank]

Oh, and he also decided to add me to his monthly email list, never mind that he takes the opposite position to me on just about every issue.

When I lived in NJ I sent Congressman Chris Smith a letter back during the 1st Brady ban. I was bombarded with snail mail.
I called his office and wrote letters to get off his mailing list. I had to threaten legal action and swore in my last letter I would do everything in my power to see he never gets re-elected.
He is also one of these never do anything people but gets re-elected every two years anyway. A dem in a republican coat.

 

[xd9fan]

term limits
Even the GOP contract with America left that one out.

 

[fspitzdorf]

My only solice is knowing i didn't vote for either of them last time around... I'd enjoy nothing more than seeing both of them forced into obscurity and some fresh meat put into office... but i'm afraid i'll be "blown away" before any of this happens...