Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

Clarence · Nov 26, 2005, 04:17 am

I believe that the internet is underused as a communication tool between voters and their elected officials. The officials have a responsibility to represent their constituents, granted. But, we as voters do not hold up our end as far as communicating goes. I've never known anybody who took a Gallop or any gov't oriented poll, that I know of, other than the census. Now, we can e-mail our officials and tell them what we think. I'm sure your average representative gets a bunch of un-educated emotion based e-mails mixed in with the multiple solicitous e-mails.. Lobbyists don't even have to leave their computer to influence with little or no competition. It's up to organizations like Write Your Congress to put together the polls based on the issues in lawmaking branch. Write Your Congress could be a special interest group and I have no way of being sure that the votes and opinions I give are being delivered as I gave them. There needs to be a better communication between the people and their elected officials. How do we use the internet for improvement of democracy?

shield772 · Nov 26, 2005, 04:51 am

I contact my representatives regularly, 4 out of 5 are Democrats so only 1 listens to me. But I write them anyway, I'm from WV if your interested. The home of Senators Byrd and Rockefeller. If we had called it the Robert C. Byrd war to free Iraq he would have supported it and the Dems would have said nothing.

Clarence · Nov 26, 2005, 05:36 pm

When you write your congressman via-internet, are you provided with a questionaire based on impending legislation? or is it left to you to know the issues?

shield772 · Nov 26, 2005, 05:43 pm

They provide a list of issues you can comment on, or you can do other if what you want to comment on an issue they haven't listed.

Osborn F Enready · Nov 27, 2005, 08:25 am

I use the internet to contact my reps almost exclusively.

I often mail my reps, and others states reps, to voice opinions on state or national legislation.

May I reccommend this site for easy access to all political reps.
http://www.e-thepeople.org/

Right on the homepage, look to the left column under "Letters, connect with you government"
If you type in your zip, it will list your reps and automatically handle the e-mail for you.

Clarence · Dec 1, 2005, 03:00 am

Quote:

Quote by: Osborn F Enready

I use the internet to contact my reps almost exclusively.

I often mail my reps, and others states reps, to voice opinions on state or national legislation.

May I reccommend this site for easy access to all political reps.
http://www.e-thepeople.org/

Right on the homepage, look to the left column under "Letters, connect with you government"
If you type in your zip, it will list your reps and automatically handle the e-mail for you.

Thank you. Bump this up so others can see if they want.

Nov 26, 2005, 04:17 am	#1 (permalink) (top)
Clarence pregnant with truth Posts: 2,244	Utilizing the internet to increase communication. I believe that the internet is underused as a communication tool between voters and their elected officials. The officials have a responsibility to represent their constituents, granted. But, we as voters do not hold up our end as far as communicating goes. I've never known anybody who took a Gallop or any gov't oriented poll, that I know of, other than the census. Now, we can e-mail our officials and tell them what we think. I'm sure your average representative gets a bunch of un-educated emotion based e-mails mixed in with the multiple solicitous e-mails.. Lobbyists don't even have to leave their computer to influence with little or no competition. It's up to organizations like Write Your Congress to put together the polls based on the issues in lawmaking branch. Write Your Congress could be a special interest group and I have no way of being sure that the votes and opinions I give are being delivered as I gave them. There needs to be a better communication between the people and their elected officials. How do we use the internet for improvement of democracy? Last edited by Clarence; Nov 26, 2005 at 04:18 am. Reason: census

Nov 26, 2005, 04:51 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
shield772 68 Dead LEO's in 08 Location: Washington, WV Posts: 1,757	I contact my representatives regularly, 4 out of 5 are Democrats so only 1 listens to me. But I write them anyway, I'm from WV if your interested. The home of Senators Byrd and Rockefeller. If we had called it the Robert C. Byrd war to free Iraq he would have supported it and the Dems would have said nothing. Republican Liberty Caucus Moderate Republican Officer Down Memorial Page

Nov 26, 2005, 05:43 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
shield772 68 Dead LEO's in 08 Location: Washington, WV Posts: 1,757	They provide a list of issues you can comment on, or you can do other if what you want to comment on an issue they haven't listed. Republican Liberty Caucus Moderate Republican Officer Down Memorial Page

Nov 27, 2005, 08:25 am	#5 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	I use the internet to contact my reps almost exclusively. I often mail my reps, and others states reps, to voice opinions on state or national legislation. May I reccommend this site for easy access to all political reps. http://www.e-thepeople.org/ Right on the homepage, look to the left column under "Letters, connect with you government" If you type in your zip, it will list your reps and automatically handle the e-mail for you. Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

Nov 26, 2005, 05:36 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Clarence pregnant with truth Posts: 2,244	When you write your congressman via-internet, are you provided with a questionaire based on impending legislation? or is it left to you to know the issues?