The White House does listen

[Aloha Spirit]

whitehouse.gov did what I asked them to do.
First, I emailed change.gov and asked them to hire Peter Orszag. Check!
Then, a few months ago, I emailed whitehouse.gov and asked them to make a centralized data site including statistics and research from various government agencies. Check!
data.gov is a brand new and evolving webpage to provide access to government data in one place.
With a few clicks, I found the level of US consumption expenditures on new versus used cars from 1997 to 2007.

Okay, maybe writing to whitehouse.gov is more like rubbing a lantern and hoping for a magic genie, but there's gotta be some more of you who had their wishes granted.

Anybody else have success stories?

[MNDemNY]

1. I wrote them and asked them to follow the rule of law.

No luck, yet. But I am "Hoping"!

[Aloha Spirit]

2. You should write back and be very specific, that's the best way to get your request granted.

Otherwise, they might assume they're already following the rule of law and dismiss the request.

[MNDemNY]

3. No, they do not seem at all open to prosecuting torture.

[Aloha Spirit]

5. Well, if you don't try, you can't succeed.

[Lorax7844]

11. keep calling

the issue is not going away.

[CreekDog]

6. did you contact Eric Holder?

The attorney general is the one in charge of investigations and whether or not to bring charges.

[MNDemNY]

10. No salt there ,either.

[CreekDog]

22. good answer

:eyes:

[cooolandrew]

4. I emailed that we need to see more of Biden and seen more appearances in recent weeks.

I think they are twice as powerful as a tag team. It seems to me they are open to a lot of constructive suggestsions. This is more a whitehouse that is in the hands of the people than has been the case for quite a while.

[Aloha Spirit]

7. did you see that guy with the Biden t-shirt?

I can't find it, but he got some fans in Kosovo too!

[Clio the Leo]

24. Good one! I may have to steal your idea!!! NT

[lamp_shade]

8. I emailed and pleaded that Obama not release the controversial photos.

[Aloha Spirit]

13. interesting...

I wonder what they would do if you and I submitted contradictory requests? lol
That's a very specific request, more likely to be acted on. Good work lamp shade!

[rug]

9. You're good. Ask them to pull out of Afghanistan.

[Aloha Spirit]

12. I'm working on it... need to have very specific requests.... that's the only way you can verify that

they were responding to the specific request.
If I ask them to "make me proud" I have no way of knowing if they granted that request :-)

[cboy4]

14. Since they listen to you, any chance you can ask them what

they're doing about Don't Ask Don't tell?

[Aloha Spirit]

16. He's actively working to build consensus on its repeal within the Defense Department first

then there will be Congressional action.

[cboy4]

18. Why does there need to be a consensus within the DOD?

Naturally, the Defense Department is going to be opposed.

If Obama wants it done -- which is what he articulated during the campaign, then he tells congress to send him the bill to sign.

The defense Department is aware of Obama's desire.

So why do we have to waste time over at the Pentagon, while critically important linguists who speak Arabic and Farsi have their careers shattered.

Help me understand.

[Aloha Spirit]

20. Not everyone has to agree, but if it's true that repealing DADT

is the best thing for the country--which it is, and continues to be demonstrated so, painfully, every time we hear about soldiers like Choi--then Obama should give everybody a chance to come around. If they don't then, as he's demonstrated, he'll be on record trying to build the consensus. Why does it matter that people support the policies they will be enforcing? Well, if they don't, Obama will have to work a lot harder on Congress to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which being introduced first in 2005, has yet to make it out of committee. If he does build consensus within the DOD then the legislation will be a lot easier to pass.
One could also argue that it's better to have people leading the Defense Department have a good relationship with the White House or support the policies they enforce, but I don't think that's as persuasive as the simple fact that it will be a lot harder to get anything done if they campaign against it, which they probably would if the White House laid down the law without their support.

[T Wolf]

15. I'd say that you have as much success at getting your "wish" fulfilled as Frank Burns had

had in praying for pudding for breakfast.

That site is like the OFF switch in the troop rocket ships in Sirens of Titan - not connected to anything.

[Aloha Spirit]

17. Not connected to anything?

Why do you not see the need to back up that with evidence or something?
If you're trying to convince people, evidence is reallly helpful.
It's too easy to dismiss your comment as it is.
Would you like to add something to make it more persuasive?

[T Wolf]

19. Obviously, it is connected to "something" in that people get "responses." Just like

the crap your Congresscritter sends you.

But does anyone really believe that they, by sending a message to that website, actually affects a policy change?

It is that naive "faith and hope" that I am calling into question. They do not listen to us. That much is obvious.

[Aloha Spirit]

21. My congresspeople meet and speak with constituents constantly, and policies change because of it.

During Obama's campaign, there were many many opportunities to shape policy.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Citizens_Briefing_Book_Final2.pdf
Not dictate or impose, but shape.
My post was a bit of a joke, sorry if that wasn't clear, but the posts are read and counted. Some are given to Obama to read.
Obama just changed the Office of Public Liaison to be much more responsive, with town halls in person and online and other types of discussions.
You can read about it here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ope/

[Clio the Leo]

23. In that case, thank you! I adore Whitey ... I mean Peter. NT

[Cha]

25. It was "clear" to me..and I

enjoyed your inspiring and encouraging thread.

[fadedrose]

26. No nt