Is this representation?

Yesterday, I tried for several hours to get through to Senator John Warner's office - both by voice and by fax. Both lines were either busy (for the majority), or would ring and ring and ring. These are pretty much the only ways you can effectively communicate with anyone in our government anymore.

You can't just walk into their offices, unannounced. Nor, can you write a letter and mail it - chances are pretty good they will never receive it - all of those fears about Anthrax, dontchaknow - btw, why have they never figured out who was behind that scare? Is it just coincidental that the only government targets of these attacks were Democrats? If it had happened to Repugnikans, the Repubs might have actually pressed to find and capture the culprits. It's like the "hunt" for bin Laden. He goes from World Enemy #1, to der Führer stating "I haven't given him much thought, to be honest with ya."

I was finally able to get through on a voice line. As I voiced my concerns about Sam Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court, I was cut short by the staffer who had answered the phone. She told me flat-out "the Senator has already decided to support the nomination, but I will let him know you called." Then she hung up.

It wasn't until late last night that I was able to fax my letter in (this whole process began at around 7:30 yesterday morning). I just wanted some record of my dissent.

Is this the sort of representation we are to expect from our members of Congress? I mean, don't these guys work for us?

Anyways, here is the letter that I had written to the Senator:

"Senator John Warner
United States Senate
SR-225
Washington, DC 20510-4601

1/23/06

Dear Senator Warner,

I am writing to urge you to vote against Samuel Alito’s nomination to Associate Justice to the Supreme Court.

His extreme views of Presidential power are shockingly inappropriate, especially in light of recent revelations of Executive abuse of these powers. He also has a historical position of being Anti-abortion. While I, personally, do not agree with abortion, I do support a woman’s right to chose whether or not to have one.

His record also shows his disregard for the power of Congress, as evidenced in his dissent of rulings over machine guns and American car-buyers rights.

Once again, I urge you to carry out your sworn duty to uphold and defend our Constitution, and to represent your constituency and Country. It is my sincere belief that if Judge Alito is allowed to take a seat on SCOTUS, he will breach one of the last few remaining defenses our Nation has that allow us to rightfully state we are the world’s leader of Democracy.

Sincerely yours,

Paul"