We are Linked in Ways That Make Us Count on Others to Do the Right Thing
Clever folks, Those Founding Fathers
They gave us a republic. That republic operates, for the most part, as a representative democracy. And that is where things get tricky.
Under our system, we all get to elect our own senators and representatives. They, hopefully, go to represent us and are accountable to us. In theory, at least. To make the point a bit more clearly, they are electorally responsible only to us. People in other states don’t get a vote on their continuing in office.
Interesting Things Happen When They Get to Washington
They form a Congress, within which they appoint leaders and committee chairs. In those positions, they affect all of us in major ways. But we have little to no influence over them. In most cases, they won’t even accept an email or call from you. You don’t live within their electoral boundaries.
Someone may be the Senate Majority Leader, for example. He single handedly determines if legislation even gets a hearing. 99% of the country can’t even send him or her an email. Sound right to you? Yeah, me neither.
So, in search of a way to find a voice, I am engaging on a bit of a shout in the dark. I invite you to join me.
A Rogues Gallery
There are a lot of people in Congress that I would really, really like to see gone – tomorrow. But I do have a Hit Parade – those who lead the pack as oxygen chiefs in any room they occupy. My “favorites” are:
- Senator Moscow Mitch McConnell
- Senator Lindsey Graham
- Rep Devin Nunes
- Rep Jim Jordan
- Rep Mark Meadows
- Rep Louis Gohmert
It’s not hard to figure out why these guys lead the list
Hello, Neighbor
I am writing the leading newspapers in their domain, sending an open letter to the citizens there. I am pointing out the remarkable harm each of these people has done to the country and continue to do so. I note that the great people reading my letter deserve better representation themselves. They deserve better than these embarrassments.
I note that these people do great harm from positions of power. They hurt us all, but only those who elect them can help the rest of us and save the country. I ask them to do what’s right for the whole country. Send these folks packing. They are not worthy of the office they hold and abuse.
Will anything come of such an effort? Who knows? But it seems worth a bit of effort. Let’s ask our fellow citizens to reflect on how their choices affect all of us in important ways.
Get in Touch
Are you game?
Find below, next to each person’s name, a link to the newspaper most important in their domain. Each link provides quick guidance on sending letters to the editor of this sort or the space to do so electronically right on the link.
Sen Mitch McConnell – Louisville Courier Journal https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/02/10/guide-submitting-letters-editor/97742414/
Sen Lindsey Graham – (Charleston) Post & Courier https://www.postandcourier.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/
Rep Jim Jordon – Cleveland Plain Dealer forum@plaind.com
Rep Louie Gohmert – Tyler Morning Telegraph https://tylerpaper.com/site/contact.html
Rep Devin Nunes – Fresno Bee https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/submit-letter/article231330263.html
Rep Mark Meadows– Asheville Citizen Times https://www.citizen-times.com/story/opinion/2017/12/12/how-submit-op-ed-letter-editor/946173001/
This is a chance for us to speak to us. We have nothing to lose, everything to gain.
Bill Clontz
If you find this blog worthy of your time and curiosity, I invite you to do two things:
(1) Join the conversation. Your voice counts here.
(2) Share the word about this blog with friends and colleagues. Share a link in your emails (https://agentsofreason.com) and social media posts. Let’s grow our circle.
You are absolutely right! These people have great effects on us, but we didn’t choose them, so they aren’t inclined to listen to us. So speak out to their constituent voters. Great idea, and thanks for the media contacts.