Making a difference, maybe?

I called my congressman in Washington D.C. today!  Well, I called his office, anyway.  I honestly only expected to leave a message on an aide's voicemail letting them know just what I thought of the bailouts and another ridiculous new piece of legislation going into effect next month, in the hopes of adding my name to a list of people with similar opinions.  I figured that if enough citizens clogged their voicemail with the same complaint, one of us would be heard.

Surprisingly, I was actually connected to a person!  I'm sure it was an aide, or maybe just a message-taker, but I was still surprised to actually be talking to someone IN the office of my representative.  

So surprised, in fact, that I forgot what I was going to say, asked some generic question about my congressman's position on the bailout, then hung up.  Once I got over the shock of speaking to someone, I got my act together and called back to ask some real questions!  I had to admit to having just called, and having forgotten what I was calling for, and still needing to ask the question I had intended to ask in the first place.

My complaint about the second piece of legislation I mentioned actually got me transferred to the office of the idiot congressman who drafted the legislation, and his aide let me know that they were amending the bill, a press release would be issued tomorrow, and he'd send me an e-mail with the details of the press release as soon as it was available.  He assured me my issues were being addressed, at least in part.

I have to say, I feel very empowered!  I have always felt that Washington D.C. was so far away that nothing I said or did had any affect on what went on there.  And even though I have "representatives", once they leave the state, they could really care less what I have to say until election time rolls around.

Well, there's that, and having no idea how to go about finding out who my representatives are, and how to get a hold of them!  Turns out it's pretty easy to find this information, with a quick google search and a zip code.  Plus, someone sent me a phone number in an e-mail.

So now I'm passing this information on to you.  Google "find my representative" and find your congressman.  (You can do the same for your senator.)  Then call him/her at 1-800-828-0498.  Ask to speak to your representative, and the operator will transfer you.  I'm sure there is something you'd like to tell those b***heads in Washington.  Be empowered, make a difference, let your voice be heard!