Damn it! Don' you people care? You'd rather Complain than Act!

[merh]

Posts have been made for days begging everyone to take a few minutes to call congress and to complain about the bankruptcy reform act, the morally bankrupt proposed budget and ANWR drilling. The posts have been ignored and allowed to drop like stones. It appears that you guys would rather just complain about the government and our leaders than take action and be heard! Why can't you all take a few minutes and be heard? It is your government - demand that they represent you!


Call and complain about the bankruptcy reform bill and about the budget! -- Make your voices be heard!

Tell Congress: Don't Pass a Morally Bankrupt Budget!

As Christians committed to social justice, we believe that budgets are moral documents. Apparently, Congress didn't get the memo.

The House and Senate Budget Committees approved budgets last week that make dramatic cuts to Medicaid, Food Stamps, and countless other low-income programs while extending tax cuts and (unbelievably) proposing new ones for the wealthiest Americans. This week, the budgets will be discussed and voted on by the full House and Senate, with all members of Congress being able to participate.

Your response to our "The Budget is a Moral Document" campaign has been overwhelming. Almost 20,000 of you have sent e-mails to Congress in the past month, and staff on Capitol Hill report they have never seen this much constituent response about the budget. As people of faith, we must now ramp up our efforts and send one clear message to Congress: Don't pass a morally bankrupt budget!

Here are the two most important things you can do.

Step 1

Call your senators and representative now! Sojourners and Call to Renewal have set up a toll-free phone number for you to reach Congress today only (Tuesday):

[phone]

This number will connect you to the Capitol switchboard. Ask for your senator or representative by name). Once you're connected, tell them to stand up for your values by:

* Voting YES
* on amendments that restore funding for Medicaid, Food Stamps, Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Care, and other key work-supports for low-income families. Voting YES
* on amendments that repeal tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Voting NO
on any budget that goes against biblical and moral principles by fattening the rich at the expense of the poor.

Some tips about how to make a successful call!

* Introduce yourself as a constituent and as a person of faith. Say what city or town you're from. Remember: They are your public servants.

* Make your request. Remember that you are asking them do something specific (voting yes or no on various proposals), and try to keep calls under two or three minutes.

* Make it personal. Explain quickly how this budget will affect you, your friends, or your city/state.

* Be polite. Remember, the people answering the phone will get plenty of these calls today, and it's their job to report to their boss what you tell them. Make sure to say "thank you" at the end of the call.

* Repeat two times. Please call both your senators and your representative(s). Don't disregard an elected official because you think s/he is too liberal or conservative. Everyone needs to hear this message.

* Don't give up. Having trouble getting through? Call your senators and representatives' offices directly (Look up your senators here and your representatives here).

* Don't be discouraged if you can't get through on the first try - busy signals mean others are being heard and you are making a difference!

Step 2

E-mail Congress! Send an e-mail to your senators and representatives about these issues.

http://go.sojo.net/campaign/morally_bankrupt_budget/step1.tcl

Call and complain to your representatives about the Bankruptcy Reform Bill and the Budget and all matters that concern you! They are your elected representatives, they work for you - let them know where you stand and what you expect! Don't just complain on a message board, take action!

[merh]

1. Kick

:kick:

[merh]

90. If the 800 number doesn't work call on the main line 202-224-3121

[phone]

OR

Congress at [phone]

[radwriter0555]

2. It took a WORLD united to take HITLER down.. bush is WORSE, and you think

some lousy little protests are going to help?

NATO will be in the streets of Washington before the bush regime is forced out of power. All you can do now is protect YOURSELF and your family.

[merh]

4. I would prefer to continue trying to be heard than to sit complacently

and wait for NATO or the rapture.

It's my government and I will act like it is and will call and demand they hear me. You can sit back and bitch and moan and do nothing, that is your choice!

:argh: You give them power with your silence!

[The_Mule]

46. Right on, merh!

We are still a representative democracy. If you are not vocal with your elected officials, then you are excluding yourself from the democracy. Your voice doesn't stop after the election. Even if you didn't vote for your officials, still try to influence them with your well-expressed and logical opinions and with your respect.

[merh]

50. Thank you!

I can't believe how afraid folks here are of trying to make a difference!

Damn it, we are the people. The reason that our congress critters ignore us is because we don't demand that they pay attention!

I demand it - they work for me!

[merh]

54. Include your concerns about the funding of HUD CDBG programs

Jan Michael's post:
This is serious: Help Save the HUD CDBG Program from Bush! Please!
Time is running out to stop Bush from killing this 30 year old program.
So far 55 Senators have signed a pledge to save this program, 14 Republicans as well. But the House will kill it, it's up to the Senate. Please call, fax, write, email, whatever it takes.
Cities, States and Counties around america WILL suffer with the loss of this program.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3274116

We are the people they represent! Let them hear from you!

[merh]

55. kick!

:kick:

[purji]

82. sorry I didn't realize I needed to check in with you

when I do something. I guess because I didn't tell you directly what calls I've made,It means I "Too afraid "to make a difference.

[merh]

83. What a grown up response.

:boring:

[Proud_Lefty]

6. We need multiple fights

from every direction they turn. Obviously, we can't do it alone, but if everyone fights them on every issue, and keep multiplying those efforts, you'd be shocked what we can do.

[Spinoza]

138. Bush is worse.....

than Hitler? Links?

[Proud_Lefty]

3. Taking Action

I can't log in and respond or even kick these threads from work, but I can forward them to everyone on my list and I can also call and email the senators. I started yesterday with some obnoxious Republicans, like Mr. Hatch. Can't wait to finish today.

[merh]

5. Thank you - send the site on to everyone -

I appreciate your wanting to be heard!

[Sugarbleus]

7. I did this in Feb. I called the budget office, called my senators and

faxed my congressman. I was working with a local group concerned about certain programs being cut in FY06 budget.

I posted a call to action here in DU a couple weeks ago and it sank like a rock then too. I don't get it.

I'm committed to continuing this line of calling in and contacting my reps as often as possible. BTW, THEY WANT to hear from us to ensure they are on the right track. It gives them confidence for the task.

I applaud you for posting this. :toast:

[merh]

12. Thank you for your efforts

Folks here would rather bitch than take a few minutes to call, email or fax their representatives. I just don't get it! :mad:

[Sugarbleus]

21. Happy to do my part. Just forwarded Sojo's info to five

others as well. :) :) :)

[merh]

24. Cool!

:toast:

[itzamirakul]

8. emails sent through Sojourner's addy blaster...

I will telephone Rangel Meeks, Towns, McCarthy, Weiner, and a couple others.

[merh]

9. Thanks

:hi:

[blm]

10. I'm sure many are calling, just not replying on the threads.

We'll keep the thread kicked through tomorrow to remind the stragglers.

[American in Asia]

76. especially those of us who don't post much!

Shy, I guess! LOL! Seriously - I email constantly (calling is hard from here - time difference, money, etc.), I sign petitions, and I sent flowers to Barbara (LOL!). I just don't post to say so, and probably there are many others like me. Maybe we should though - just so we all have a feeling of momentum or of something to fight off the frustration!

[merh]

86. Keeping the thread with the information alive helps, so posting a

:kick: or "done n/t" helps out tremendously. Also, letting others know that they are not alone in the effort provides encouragement.

Thanks for all you do from where you are! :hug: Welcome to DU! :hi:

[blm]

94. That's what I figured.

Thanks for speaking up. I know there are plenty more out there just like you.

[dog_lovin_dem]

127. Like me!

I send letters/e-mails, make calls, and will be attending my first peace rally on the 19th.

[blm]

128. heh...Hey...we do our best...no matter what.

I'm glad even more are out there, anonymous or not.

Thanks for your efforts, both public and private.

[merh]

87. Thank you for keeping it kicked!

:toast:

[diamond14]

11. calm down...LOTS of us are working on this...YOU are doing good...

just post again with a better headline, and you'll get a lot more action....try this:


PLEASE 'kick' all day....today is "CALL CONGRESS" day....

[merh]

13. I tried that and it sunk like a stone!

It was on page 2 within a matter of minutes.

A better title does no good, folks just ignore it. I decided to call them on their lack of concern.

[diamond14]

14. Senator John Warner's office just told me to GET FUCKED !

the intern wouldn't take my name/phone...she said that WARNER doesn't care about Christian crap...I politely asked her to give me her name, and she said "GET FUCKED" and hung up the phone....(hahahahaha...this action is making some impact...we've got to get some EMAIL through to make certain that these INTERNS are relaying OUR message to old fart warner...

I called the LOCAL number, AND I'll do a fax right now too...

Virginia Senator john warner...local DC numbers
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

link to warner's web site for LOCAL phones/faxes ALL OVER VIRGINIA...
http://warner.senate.gov/

email warner here....
http://warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfmhttp://warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

-------------------------------

moving on....I'm getting ready to call my OTHER reTHUGlican senator: George Allen....

[Catherine Vincent]

16. Did the intern use those words?

You really should file a complaint.

[diamond14]

28. yes, but complaining to warner is like TALKING TO A ROCK....

I've been complaining about bush* WARS and bad-treatment of Veterans forever....never get a reply, a letter, or an email from senator warner, except for ONCE...that ONE letter was the standard 'I'm a GLORIOUS senator' letter, and did NOT say one word about the subject I wrote to him about....it's really hopeless to complain to warner...


he'll be THROWN OUT OF OFFICE the next time around....

[LittleClarkie]

79. Fuck yeah! Liberate my home state!

I was born in Norfolk. So was my dad. Go Navy!!

[diamond14]

19. Virginia Senator George Allen has a recorded 'we're busy' & hang up

not to be deterred...I'm sending off a fax....and calling again later...

link for allen's local offices and local phones ALL OVER VIRGINIA...
http://allen.senate.gov/


Virginia Senator george allen
Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Room 204
Washington, DC 20510
[phone]
[phone] fax

to send senator allen an email.....
http://allen.senate.gov/?c=email

[merh]

22. Try the 800 number - it works really well!

My calls continue...

[Sugarbleus]

25. I'm REALLY liking the Fax feature. Good work Diamond14!! eom

[diamond14]

31. got my fax on auto-redial to warner: BIG on top: from your Christian Voter

stuffed it with LOTS of that CHRISTIAN stuff...I am a Christian and I'm sick of these small numbers of bush*-fundy-religiously-insane- nut-cases running OUR government....usually, I don't feel the need to spew out religious rhetoric, but if the fundies get so much out of it....then WE, the real Christians, can play that game too....

From: diamond14's real name
CHRISTIAN VOTER in Alexandria Virginia


To: Senator John Warner


Subject: The Budget


Message from the Christian Voters of Virginia



Don't Pass a Morally Bankrupt Budget!

As Christians committed to social justice, we believe that budgets are moral documents. Apparently, you didn't get the memo.

etc.etc. etc.......

[Sugarbleus]

65. Yeehaw..excellent! LOL @ auto redial

For Christians who understand true morality in all it's forms, this is a great opportunity for them/us to "make the case". You are encouraging me in that you are Christian but you are sick to death of the nutbergers corrupting the faith AND the country. Well Done! I thought I was alone in challenging these folks.

I still display my magnetic bumper sticker which says:God wants Spiritual Fruits, Not Religious Nuts I've had a couple positive and funny responses to that one. :)

Hoping your day was "fruitful" SB

[merh]

20. I would definitely send a letter of complaint to the good Senator!

What a bunch of scum they are, even their staff fail to recognize that they work for us! We employ them for gosh sakes!

[H2O Man]

15. The Water Man

has been working, slowly and steadily.

[merh]

17. Bless you Water Man for that slow, steady drips of progress!

We know the power of water, look at the Grand Canyon! :hi:

[H2O Man]

23. And we know

the power of Merh, when she puts her mind to something!

[merh]

26. LOL -

;-)

I just can't figure out how to get folks engaged! They would rather bitch than take some action. :shrug:

[merh]

32. My letter to the representatives

I write as a person of faith to urge you to consider the effects pending legislation and President Bush's budget will have the citizens of the USA, especially people living in poverty and the low and middle class citizen.

I urge you to oppose the bankruptcy reform bill that has been underwritten by the credit card industry's campaign contributions. According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, this legislation -- S. 256 -- is one big payoff to the big banks and credit card companies, which have contributed more than $101 million to federal candidates and party committees in the last three elections. This bill only benefits the corporations and will hurt low and moderate income Americans who have found themselves in difficult financial circumstances. Nine out of ten families filing for bankruptcy do so because of job loss, medical problems, divorce, or separation, not because they are irresponsible or corrupt. It is the corporations that are to blame for their alleged crisis because they offer credit cards to everyone and do not restrict or limit the issuance of the credit as they should. They should be held responsible for their poor business tactics, not the citizens.

How can you ask the citizens to be responsible with their personal debts when you are not responsible with our national debts? Isn’t that rather hypocritical? Our national debt is huge, what would you do if our government was held to the same harsh standards that you are allowing the credit card companies to hold the citizens to under this legislation?

At a time when more and more of our budget is being devoted to defense spending, further and extended tax cuts for the rich are not in line with the biblical mandate to care for the poor. Neither are the budget's proposed cuts to Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other low-income programs.

I urge you to vote YES on any amendments that restore funding for Medicaid, Food Stamps, Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Care, and other important work-supports for low-income families.

I urge you to vote YES on any amendments that repeal tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

I urge you to vote NO on any budget that goes against central biblical and moral principles by fattening the rich at the expense of the poor.

I urge you to vote NO to the bankruptcy reform bill.

I urge you to vote YES for the Cantwell Amendment to keep ANWR drilling out of the budget resolution. Our environment is too fragile and the payoff too small for this drilling to be approved.


When roughly 36 million people in this country live below the poverty line, budget priorities like those being proposed are outrageous, anti-family, and anti-biblical values.

Our political system is drowning in debt to wealthy donors. I urge you to oppose the big money legislation and to remember that you represent the citizens and not the corporations.

Please support the people and not the corporations. Please follow the tenents of the Bible and care about the poor and the sick and the earth.

You work for the people, not the corporations so please vote for the people!

[merh]

61. kick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:kick: :kick:

[Tsiyu]

18. Kick kick kick

C'mon people now, help out your brother....

:kick:

:kick:

[merh]

27. Don't forget to give the NEW DEMOCRAT COALITION (turncoats)

a piece of your mind!

It is our hope that the House of Representatives will consider this important piece of legislation in an expedited manner. We stand ready to work with you and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass bankruptcy reform into law.

Sincerely,

Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher
Rep. Adam Smith
Rep. Ron Kind
Rep. Artur Davis
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
Rep. John Larson
Rep. Stephanie Herseth
Rep. Dennis Moore
Rep. Mike McIntyre
Rep. Joe Crowley
Rep. Jay Israel
Rep. David Wu
Rep. Diane Hooley
Rep. Melissa Bean
Rep. Jim Davis
Rep. Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Rep. Ed Case
Rep. Jay Inslee
Rep. Shelley Berkeley
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/8/202044/7026

[merh]

52. kick

:kick:

[JNelson6563]

29. Maybe if you included a poll on 08

and leave out a few DU favorites you'd see some serious thread action.

Not sayin' it's right, it's what sells.

Julie

[merh]

40. Unfortunately, you make a good point!

:argh:

[Squeech]

30. Who am I supposed to call?

My senators are Kennedy and Kerry, my rep is Capuano, I assume we have their votes already.

And who else would listen to a Masshole? "Hello, Senator Frist? I'm calling from Boston, and-- *CLICK*"

I gotta get out of here, into some jurisdiction where my opinion might matter-- but I have to vote Romney out of office first.

And I still want to know: why is Herseth with the blue dogs?

[diamond14]

34. call VA...Senator John Warner...call/fax these RURAL offices...

maybe you're TRAVELING and CALLING FROM BOSTON....


Senator John Warner....

Washington Office

Address:
225 Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.


Midlothian District Office
Address:
5309 Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Midlothian, Virginia 23112
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Roanoke District Office
Address:
1003 First Union Bank Building
213 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.


Abingdon District Office
Address:
235 Federal Building
180 West Main Street
P.O. Box 887
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.


Norfolk District Office
Address:
4900 World Trade Center
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
Telephone:
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

[diamond14]

44. WHOOOAAA...called Senator john warner's RURAL fundie office

easy to get through...nice polite fundies....

I told them the TRUTH, that I am a Christian from Alexandria Virginia and that the DC phones are busy, but I would like this message to get through to the Senator.....

the fundie woman told me she TOTALLY AGREES WITH ME...wrote down EVERYTHING...she especially likes this

"VOTE NO on any budget that goes against biblical and moral principles by fattening the rich at the expense of the poor"



this polite fundie promised to get on the phone TODAY to jerry farwell to force warner to vote NO...


DUers teaming up with fundie farwells to force senator warner out of his glorious WAR budget....LOL.....

[merh]

63. I love it! Great work!

:yourock:

[merh]

35. Good question isn't it!

You want to call or email or fax so that you can be counted. They have more power to oppose if they can say "my office received this many calls against this matter" as opposed to "nobody called".

Let them know that you applaud their stance and oppose the legislation if they have voted against it already.

Unfortunately, it is all about the numbers!

Why don't you email or write Herseth and ask why. I would love to know if you Herseth has to say!

[Tsiyu]

33. If anyone has the time

keep this one kicked in the Lounge:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=2840917#2840978

I called and I feel great. Do it people. It only takes a few minutes.

[merh]

41. I gotcha covered!

:hi: Happy Birthday! :party:

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[merh]

37. Well, I have to agree with a lot of what you have written.

It is obvious that most here would rather bitch than take a few minutes to send a form email or call a toll free number.

They have no clue how things really work in DC, they don't realize what power they have.

Yes, if Senator So&So receives 500 calls in one day opposing legislation and 0 calls for it, the Senator may rethink his vote because the constituents put him in the office, not the corporations.

Those in Congress live by the polls and the numbers, if we call them on their votes, if we make the numbers so large they cannot ignore us, then we have become active participants in our government and have made a difference.

We did it in late December and early January when we demanded someone stand with Conyers to oppose the certification of the electoral college votes. Why can folks here not appreciate our power and take part and get involved?

Please make sure you call and fax your congress critters! They must hear us!

[BigBearJohn]

38. Done!

[merh]

39. Thank you!

:hi: Be sure to share the info with everyone you know!

A call to faxes and emails and phones! Let them hear us!


:toast:

[Vinca]

42. Can't we bitch and call both??

Just askin'.:shrug:

[merh]

43. Sure - do both - the title was changed because folks just ignored

the call to action!

I bitch and call and email and do what I can to help folks realize that we are the people and we have a say, if only we take the time to say it when it counts and to the people we put in office!

[Tippy]

45. Two out of three....answered

nice chatty ladies...both thanksed for my call...having trouble getting through to Senator Frist's office....line is busy he must be more poplular than the other two...

[merh]

47. When you reach Frist, you might want to call to his attention the

Washington Post Article:

"Fewer Americans approve of the way Congress is handling its job than at any time since shortly after Republicans impeached President Clinton, a Gallup Poll finds.

"Only 37% of Americans gave Congress a high approval rating, down from 45% last month, the poll taken last week showed. A total of 53% disapproved, up from 48% in February."

"A groundswell of criticism generated by alleged ethical lapses concerning House Majority Leader Tom Delay is forcing the Texas lawmaker to seek support from GOP colleagues and is threatening to harm the Republican legislative agenda on Capitol Hill," says the Chicago Tribune.

http://www.washingtonpost.com

Thanks for taking the time! :toast:

[Patiod]

48. And Santorum and Spector are going to say what?

Thanks to some vicious gerrymandering by the PA Republicans, my representative is a Republican even though my area is firmly Blue.

He and my Senators are Republicans, who aren't about to risk that credit care/oil/etc money.

Sorry, but "contact your Congressmen" is an exercise in futility for me.

(I do spend time, however, working to build the Dem party in my area, and working to get Ds elected to local, state and US positions)

[merh]

49. It is not an exercise in futility

These assholes work by numbers and polls, if the numbers of calls that come into their office on pending legislation (from actual constituents) is against that legislation, then they are more likely to vote against the bill. They know that they have to pay attention to the voters.

Unfortunately, we the voters have not taken the time to let them know what we think. They get their information from polls conducted by lobbyists that can slant the questions as they need. (Lobbyists work for the corporations that want the legislation!)


It is never futile to take a part in our representative form and government and let your congress critters know what you expect from them. It is futile to bitch without trying to make yourself heard!

[diamond14]

51. in Virginia...it's successful to contact the RURAL offices of reTHUGs

BOTH my senators are worse than yours....

but, my calls to their RURAL offices about BIBLICAL AND MORAL PRINCIPLES for the budget were VERY SUCCESSFUL....the fundie interns at BOTH Senator john warner's and Senator george allen's office WROTE down everything I said and promised to relay my message DIRECTLY to the senator...

since I am a CHRISTIAN, and a voter....these fundie-religiously-insane interns WANT to help me....they WANT to make certain that my senators "VOTE NO against any budget that goes against biblical and moral principles by fattening the rich at the expense of the poor"

they LIKED that remark....they even were going to call their own churches to get my senators to VOTE NO....


so...this is not the time for working on re-elections, and sitting waiting for that....it's the TIME TO CALL...and let YOUR congressman hear your voice....

[merh]

53. kick

:kick:

[merh]

56. kick

:kick:

[cry baby]

57. Done! The young lady that answered Sen Frist's phone sounded

like her voice was going away. I asked her if she had done a lot of talking on the phone today and she laughed and said yes, she has had many calls today! Yay!

[merh]

59. Good to hear!!!!

We have to keep them on their toes and let them know we are out here & we care!!!!

Thank you for sharing that with me! :hug:

:bounce:

[merh]

60. Will you post a thread on this - let them know the calls are having

an affect (at least on her voice). Maybe that will encourage more calls if people know that we are tying up their lines and making their staff hoarse!


===============================================
Vote YES on any amendments that restore funding for Medicaid, Food Stamps, Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Care, HUD CDBG funding and other important work-supports for low-income families.

Vote YES on any amendments that repeal tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

Vote NO on the Social Security reform proposed by the admin.

Vote NO on any budget that goes against central biblical and moral principles by fattening the rich at the expense of the poor.

Vote NO to the bankruptcy reform bill.

Vote YES for the Cantwell Amendment to keep ANWR drilling out of the budget resolution. (no drilling in Alaska)
===============================================

Call your senators and representative now! Sojourners and Call to Renewal have set up a toll-free phone number for you to reach Congress today only (Tuesday):

[phone]

OR

Call Congress at [phone]


Thank you again!

[cry baby]

58. kick .

:kick:

[Window]

62. BIG-assed kick!

-

[merh]

64. kick

:kick:

[cry baby]

66. kick

:kick:

[AnotherMother4Peace]

67. you tell them Merh

Kick - make a fuss - write, e-mail, call by phone - contact media - tell them you are tired of Michael Jackson - there's a war going on and our sons and daughters are dying - many more are maimed - over 100,000 Iraqis are dead - contact congressmen, senators, the President's office - We need to make as much noise as possible - join AARP - Donate - join Dean's group

I figure this is the best way I can support our precious troops. So much is being demanded from them. We need to support them.

[merh]

95. Thank you for your calls to action!

And thank you for your efforts. I am happy to Welcome you to DU! :hi:
:hug: thanks so much

[AnotherMother4Peace]

68. Make that phone call! Sign that petition!

Write that letter! Make that donation! They want to start drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Sign Kerry's petition

We need to get louder & take back our country. It's the least we can do for our sons and daughters in the military.

[brokensymmetry]

69. Thanks for posting this!

:kick:

[merh]

101. Thank you for caring enough to act

and thank you for keeping this thread alive by kicking it! :hi:
I do appreciate you! :hug:

[lonestarnot]

70. I did call damn it! Want my phone bill as substantiated evidence? n/t

[AnotherMother4Peace]

72. Then call again & again, and then,

hey, what the heck call again - I don't know it might help - can't hurt -I get to feelin' pretty hopeless sometimes, & after work I write & call. Considering what our military sons & daughters are going through, it's the least I can do.

[lonestarnot]

74. They volunteered...under a bush! n/t

[merh]

84. How mature you are!

:boring:

[IronLionZion]

71. thank you for posting this

I'm recommending this thread

A lot of us are contacting our representatives, even assholes like Rick Santorum. But we can do better since there are thousands of us. Yes, there are a lot of wankers here who just bitch 24/7 without actually doing anything to fix the problems.

oh, one thing to keep in mind is that some people might call but forget to kick the thread. Most of these threads are filled with replies that just say "done n/t"

cheers
ILZ

[merh]

85. I understand that, thank you.

It is annoying when the thread drops like a stone, its as if no one cares. I don't need validation or proof that people are calling, but it would help if the posting of "done n/t" or "kick" were done more often!

[fooj]

73. Hey Merh- Did I miss the party?

Nice nudge!


Peace.:kick:

[merh]

89. Just be sure you call or email congress and let them know you

are against the drilling in Alaska, that grotesque bankruptcy bill, the social security legislation and that you are for amending the budget to fund HUD CDBG grants, feeding of the poor, medical needs of the poor and disabled!

Please just take part in your government! :hi:

[missouri dem 2]

75. Kick.

[sandnsea]

77. Thank you merh

Drives me a little batty sometimes too.

[merh]

91. We do have the power, if we would only use it.

These bastards work on opinion polls and the numbers, if their constituents call and give them hell, they get nervous and will protect their jobs.

Thanks for understanding! :hi:

[Melynn]

78. Good post. The Bankruptcy Bill isn't law yet.

Let's keep fighting, letting your representatives know about this bill lets them know that people are watching them.

[LittleClarkie]

80. Right! It's still gotta go through the House, then through committee

then through the House and Senate again unless I'm mistaken. I thought I read that in the paper.

[merh]

103. We can still get their attention. It hasn't made its way out of

conference yet. I heard one journalist on t.v. say that it is a travesty, but it has not been publicized so no one knows to oppose it.

We can try our best to fight it still! Thank you! :hi:

[merh]

102. Thanks!

:hi: I appreciate you.

[AuntiBush]

81. Thank you so much.

I just used your site. Thank you so very, very much. We need to keep this kicked! People are afraid. Is it any wonder. I was at first, but feel my actions need to speak louder then just my posting words.

We're all in this together, regardless of our differences. Silence is the enabler.

[merh]

93. Thank you for taking the time to be heard!

I used that site and listed my every complaint to my reps & senators.

They need to know we are paying attention! :hug: thank you!

[movie_girl99]

88. done..thanks for lighting a fire

under my ass.

[merh]

92. Thank you for taking the time!

A belated welcome to DU! :hi:

[concord]

96. "Introduce yourself as a constituent and as a person of faith"

Oh brother.

I've been calling, writing, informing. I just haven't been advertising it here. Assuming people aren't doing these things simply because they don't respond as expected doesn't mean they aren't working for change.

And why is it important to introduce myself as "a person of faith"??

[merh]

98. The person of faith suggestion is just a suggestion.

The site referenced in the OP has set up the email to be sent to your reps and senators once you enter your state. They made it easy and they provide a suggested letter and introductions. You can follow it or create your own, that is called an option.

I make no assumptions, I challenge folks to act and to take part in their government. It's hard to think anyone cares when they let the threads drop like stones and do not repond or give them a kick.

If you take part, that is great and I thank you. For the life of me, I can't figure out why this thread bothers you if you do take part and have made the calls. You should be encouraged that others do too. Different strokes for different folks! :shrug:

Thanks again! :hi:

[concord]

106. I suppose it bothers me

because of the tone ...

Comments like "that is called an option" are condescending and off-putting. If you want people to work together, I *suggest* a less adversarial tone.

As for the site making "it easy" and providing "a suggested letter and introductions", I would have to assume there is another agenda where "faith" is concerned.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

[merh]

109. Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns.

:hi:

I hope you took as much time let your representatives and senators know how you feel about Alaska drilling, bankruptcy reform bill and budget amendments needed to provide for the needy.

[concord]

113. You're welcome

Just so you know, the tone I was talking about? It's in your reply. Something to work on.

[merh]

117. You should work on your own tone.

Just and FYI and a suggestion.

[H2O Man]

125. "There is no such thing as a free lunch."

You been lied to.

[redqueen]

97. You attract more flies with honey than vinegar.

Just sayin'.

Wow, amazing -- sensationalist crap gets more attention than the substantive stuff. You just figuring that out?

I would think kicking the substantive things would be enough... the attacks might just turn people off who might have helped, before the attack... sound productive? I don't know about you, but I think we need all the help we can get...

[merh]

99. Go check the threads that dropped like stones that were asking

for people to get involved. I can provide you a list of at least 5 from the last 2 weeks on the bankruptcy bill alone.

Odd, this thread has had more positive responses than negative and it has stayed alive longer than most of the others. I hope you took as much time to be heard on the issues as you did criticizing this thread.
If you would like the links to previous calls to actions that were ignored, just let me know, I will be happy to provide them to you!


Here you go, consider signing this petition and help this thread stay alive.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3281615

Peace.

[redqueen]

100. I did not, and I don't need reminders from people here to do these things.

I'm happy that this thread has stayed active and received positive responses. However the tone of your message seems to be one that might drive less active people away.

If you don't think that's something to concern yourself with, fine.

[merh]

104. I appreciate your involvement and your concerns about the tone

of this thread. I am glad there are people like you that don't need reminders. However, there are others that need reminders and need to know that they have a voice. Thank you. :hi:

[redqueen]

105. There are, indeed.

Sorry if I sounded harsh... it's just that I've worked with people locally that were confrontational with people, and IMO it lost us some support. My apologies. :)

[merh]

107. No apologies are necessary.

My tone was harsh because the thread was ignored when first posted with a more positive subject. This is an edited version because I was so disappointed that baseball hearings and other such posts were getting attention and the 1st version dropped to page 2 (bottom of page 2) in less than 30 minutes. I had time to revise it and decided a challenge might get attention.

I am very passionate about letting congress know how we feel, that passion was very high when I edited the OP.

Again, thank you for caring enough to voice your concerns and for being an active member of our government. :toast:

[redqueen]

110. Thanks ... it's the right thing to do.

:kick:

[spanone]

108. Pretty sweeping damnation of DUers. How do you know?

I react by contacting congress on a regular basis. We all don't crow about it. You're assertion that we'd rather complain than act is unfounded.

[merh]

111. If you contact congress on a regular basis, that is great and I thank

you. Unfortunately there are others that chose to complain and do nothing. This is an edited OP, the first one was on the bottom of page 2 within 20 minutes with no replies, so I edited it (yesterday a.m.) to get folks attention.

It was not a sweeping damnation, it was a challenge. Prove me wrong, get involved and let others know that we can make a difference. This post has encouraged many, it has let them know that they still have time to make a difference or to be heard.

Just imagine what impact 50,000 to 60,000 emails, telephone calls and faxes would have on them, just imagine what effect would be had if the majority of DUers took the time to call or write or email.

My assertion that you would rather complain than act is wrong and I apologize that my post offended you. There are others that do fit into the mold and just as it is wrong to paint all DUers with those colors, so to is it wrong for you to try to speak for all of DU.

Thank you for voicing your concerns and thank you for not needing reminders and for taking part! :toast:

[Lorien]

114. When most activism threads get one tenth the number

of responses of a thread about music or celebrities or a braindead media darling, then one can indeed assume that most DUers are disinterested in taking action.

[doublethink]

118. I wouldn't take it personally ....

just keep doing what your doing for these causes, and keep bitching and complaining too! Look at all the response this thread is getting, WHATEVER WORKS. Some people need a fire lit under them now and then ya know. Peace. :)

[merh]

122. Thank you for the encouragement!

And welcome to DU! :hi:

Whatever works, we just need to be active and make them hear us! We are the majority, those other folks are just louder and better organized than we are! :bounce:

[merh]

123. NOW SCREAM EVEN LOUDER!

They need to hear us! ANWAR drilling will be allowed! We need to make them hear us on the other matters.

Don't let this stop you - let it make you more determined to be heard!

[American liberal]

131. I care

Before I even read this thread, I just sent off my first-ever e-mail to the president. Not that he'll see it or care, but at least I took some action. It feels good. I will do it again and again and again.

Peace,
AL

*************

Dear President Bush:

I am writing because I am growing more discouraged every day with the direction you have been taking this great country. Your administration is the most secretive in recent history. Your tax cuts and huge spending bills are bankrupting the Treasury. We have the worst budget deficit in U.S. history! Trade deficits keep growing, the dollar grows weaker, I personally know many people who have seen their jobs outsourced to other countries, health insurance premiums continue to rise, environmental protection policies have seen the worst rollbacks in more than 30 years...and all the while the "Haves and the Have Mores" are enjoying record-setting profits!

It has to stop! With all due respect, Mr. President, your policies are running this country into the ground. Those of us at ground level and with our eyes open can see it plain as day. You call yourself a Christian and yet you are bent on destroying the U.S. middle class, the environment, and anything else that gets in the way of corporate profit motives.

I am writing because it is breaking my heart to see this country that I love so dearly be brought to its knees because of greed and fiscal irresponsibility. Shame on you, Mr. President.

Please get off your soapbox and your PR blitz that force feeds us daily installments of social security reform that we don't want. Please open your eyes to what's going on and listen to your detractors. Listen to your critics, also known as We the People. There are millions of us who are extremely disappointed in the choices you have made these last few years. You and your administration are destroying us. In the name of liberty and democracy, you must alter the course and bring this representative democracy back around to serving We the People, rather than the bottom line.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
My Name Here
City, State
USA


PS Here's the article that finally compelled me to write to you personally. Although I'm sure this correspondence will not make it to your desk, at least I can feel as if I'm doing something to stand up to the insanity.

---------------------------------------

American Economy Threatened by Historic Deficit

"PA"
The US deficit in the broadest measure of international trade surged to an all-time high last year, increasing a potential threat to the American economy as the country sank deeper into debt to Japan, China and other nations.
The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that the deficit in the US current account increased by 25.5% last year to a record 666 billion dollars (£346 billion). Forecasters said the 2005 deficit could be 100 billion dollars higher than that as the US continues to buy record levels of foreign consumer goods and oil.

Analysts worry the deficits are now so high that foreigners could at some point lose their appetite for dollar-denominated investments. That could lead to a rush for the exits, plunging the value of the dollar and stock prices while causing interest rates to soar.

Under that scenario, the higher interest rates would act as a severe drag on the US economy. They would forced up borrowing costs, for example, for home mortgages, auto loans and the investment spending businesses need to expand.

Analysts noted that the current account deficit is a record in dollar terms and in relationship to the total economy: 5.7% of the gross domestic product last year, compared with 4.8% in 2003.

“We can’t keep running current account deficits at these levels. It means we are borrowing nearly 6% of our GDP from the rest of the world and the gap is growing,” said David Wyss, chief economist at Standard & Poor’s in New York.

A Treasury report this week showed that foreigners now hold 1.96 trillion dollars in Treasury securities, 45% of the total that is publicly traded. Japan has the largest holdings at 701.6 billion dollars, followed by China at 194.5 billion dollars.

Democrats blame the Bush administration for the record trade deficits. The lawmakers say the country has not done enough to crack down on unfair trade practices that, the Democrats contend, have meant the loss of millions of US manufacturing jobs.

The dollar has fallen significantly over the past three years against the 12-nation euro, the British pound and the Canadian dollar, but that improvement has not shown up in an improving trade deficit because of the currency manipulation in China and several other Asian countries, analysts said.

Economists worry that the current account deficit could at some point trigger a dollar crisis.

[doublethink]

133. Peace ....

And great letter to the Pres. It does fill good doesn't it, we can take our Country back if we continue to address our anger, disapointment and frustration to those in D.C. who have to be reminded that they too are not only representing us, BUT THEY ARE PART OF US. WE THE PEOPLE. Keep reminding them like you say again and again. :)

[merh]

139. Did you see Kerry's email - it is a good reminder that we are making

a difference! 51 votes in the Senate but today, 400,000 signatures on the roll call petition against the drilling!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3288432#3288538

[merh]

140. Thank you for your email and for taking the time to voice your

concerns about the way our nation is being ruined!

:hug:

Thank you for caring enough to try to make a difference. :toast:

[Lorien]

112. Sent faxes and emails, but I get too

hostile and/ or emotional on the phone with those bastards, so I stick to the printed word.

Inaction has always been the Achilles heel of the progressive movement. The RW EXCELS at taking action, we excel at kvetching about them having taken action.It was Roy Rogers who said "I don't belong to an organized political party; I'm a Democrat". Until we learn to organize and ACT, we'll always be reacting to those that are.

[merh]

116. Thank you for your post!

I have trouble on the phone too, you should have heard me with Trent Lott's office yesterday! I kept adding to the list and telling them that they have to care about more than the corporations, and the citizens matter and people matter! LOL! But I will be damned if I am going to let RWers think they own this government.

Again - thank you! :hug: We need to be active and we need to let them know that we matter!

[katinmn]

115. I get a dozen action alerts in my email every single day

I check DU to see if someone else has posted the call to action or petition, and if they haven't, I post it in Activism and Events.

I get these alerts because I sign up for them. I think a lot of others do, too.

Just because everyone doesn't add a comment to a post doesn't mean we aren't doing anything. Obviously we are.

But thanks for the reminder and tips. I don't mind seeing lots of dupes since it increases the chances more people will see the cll to action.

[merh]

119. Thank you!

I just would love to see a true effort by everyone on DU to send emails and faxes or to call all of their congress critters. Imagine what 50,000 to 60,000 emails, faxes and calls would do!

I appreciate that many are active, this is a challenge to those that are not or like one poster above, believes that we can't make a difference.

:toast:

[katinmn]

121. I agree, we are making a huge difference!

One lone individual may not, but thousands acting together do.
:toast:

[redqueen]

120. .

:kick:

[Sugarbleus]

124. Okay, how are we doing on this issue today?

I've been watching C-span a bit last night and all day so far. Was up at 5 am this morning waiting for congress to start.

I see that the Cantwell/Anwr amendment didn't pass, but I've not seen anything regarding the "poverty issues"(medicaid, housing, social program help et al) addressed ... Did I miss it? Has it been passed over? Is the debate still ahead of us?

I am sooooooooo tired; I'm about to pass out watching all of this. I was impressed with Sen. Spector in his attempt to fund NIH. Poor guy looks pretty sick.

It's grueling watching each and every detail/amendment go through all the debating. I see/ I think I see / that the Veteran's Health funding went down. That's sad. Amtrak got it in the shorts. Is this trend an omen of things to come by the end of the week??? :scared:

Anyway, someone let me know if "we" have a snowballs chance in hades to see any benefit from these debates. I think I'm gonna go eat a chocolate cake! :(

On edit: it looks like the Veteran's benefits/funding is still pending at the time of this writing. It looks like some funding was approved but they are still yaking about some other funding. I'm soooooooooooooooo confussed LOL

[merh]

142. Keep it up Folks - we won one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They voted to STRIP THE MEDICAID CUTS FROM BUSH'S BUDGET!!!!!!!!!! Give a CHEER for OUR DEMOCRATIC SENATORS!!!!


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3288994


NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sugarbleus]

143. I got to see that...........plus they passed the CDBGamdt, I think.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Thanks to all for supporting these amendments and doing your part. Thanks to the senators as well. BRAVO

[merh]

144. Was the CDBG protected too?

God I hope so! That is great if it did!



And I thank you too for all of your efforts! :pals:

We can make a difference!

[Sugarbleus]

145. Someone else in DU had this link

for looking up the amendments yea/nay for thurs. 3/17

.........................................
If you click on the VOTE number, you can usually see the senator by sentator voting done for each amendment

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/v...


I HOPE the difference between what the House did and what the Senate did won't fall apart somewhere down the road; this process is all very confussing. Apparently, the House wasn't keen on either issue: Medicaid or CDBG..

Whatever happens, I'm still committed to these issues.

Bravo and applause all around. :)

[rocktop15]

126. Kick!

Today I, along with about 9000 of my closest friends, called our state senators and told them to protest the nuclear option in the senate regarding judicial nominations. I urge you all to contact your individual state senators and tell them of this. Thank you.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

129. This thread is important, because the louder the rumbling &

discontent - the harder it will be to ignore us. We need to bombard the media & elected officials. We need to make it impossible to be ignored. We need to do it for our sons & daughters in the military. Make our voices impossible to tune out.

There are many, many people who visit this site who are not registered, & if this thread lights a fire in 10 - 20 - 100 - 1000 of them - hallelujah - mission accomplished.

Thanks for the welcome Merh - thanks for this thread

[merh]

130. I couldn't agree with you more! We have to let them know we are

out here and we are not happy with their votes and their disdain for the citizens that THEY WORK FOR! They work for us. It is our government. We have to let them know that we matter and we are watching them.

Thank again for your involvement and your encouragement. :hug:

[AnotherMother4Peace]

135. "We are watching them" and we need to make

them understand that they will be held accountable. We need to make that message loud and clear, & the only way I know to do it is letters, calls, donations, the marches this weekend - & hope & pray it's not futile because of the corruption that has overtaken this country. Well, for me it's another day & another round of letter writing & phone calls.
We need to become impossible to ignor.

[Carolab]

132. And bitch about the "nuclear option" on justices while you're at it!

Don't STOP.

[merh]

134. Glad you reminded me about that!

I will email and call them tomorrow on that!

[zanne]

136. I called my senators yesterday.

Every time I call or write them, I ask myself why I'm going through the bother. I guess the answer is, "hope floats".

[merh]

137. Yes - Hope floats and though it seems like an exercise in futility

for me to call my repuke congress critters in a red southern state, I will continue my efforts because it is my nation and they work for me. If I sit back and sulk that there is nothing I can do, then I am letting myself, my family, friends and future generations down. This is (in theory) a representative form of government!

Thank you for your efforts and Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Me.]

141. Kick

Hope does float