NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm going to make a political-themed thread.

Calm down! This won't be a common occurrence. I'm not very good at debating. I have a bad habit of allowing people to keep their opinions, no matter how wrong they are.

But every once in a while, I get distressed by how many people(especially in the U.S.) talk a mean game, but rarely take the time to do anything about it.

Specifically this: How many politically-minded people here in Nationstates have actually written a letter or e-mail or in any way contacted their regional political representatives?

Obviously, I'm in the U.S., so my perspective is shaped greatly by that; but here in the U.S., our representatives are OUR voice. We aren't theirs. They are supposed to be the carriers of what WE want to our national assemblies. Except for issues involving life, liberty and equality, majority is supposed to matter! In reality, majority only matters is enough people speak up!

This is true worldwide. Your government may be different in many ways but as Dennis would say; "Supreme Executive power derives from a mandate from masses, not some farcical aquatic ceremony!"

So do yourself a favor and do your country a favor; project your political will on your representatives.

Believe it or not, their feedback matters a hell of a lot more than ours. And you just may earn the respect of a Goofball along the way. :)

Specifically this: How many politically-minded people here in Nationstates have actually written a letter or e-mail or in any way contacted their regional political representatives?

Does talking to members of parliament and members of government count?

I'm on a first-name basis with my Congresswoman and one of my Senators, ( who happened to grow up near where I use to live ). They have both told me that it's usually no longer necessary for me to write them about my views on a number of subjects, since I have made them almost painfully aware of where I stand on most issues. :D

Does talking to members of parliament and members of government count?

Depends what you talk about. If you talk about the weather or the consistency of the custard I'm covered with then No. Otherwise, probably. :)

I'm on a first-name basis with my Congresswoman and one of my Senators, ( who happened to grow up near where I use to live ). They have both told me that it's usually no longer necessary for me to write them about my views on a number of subjects, since I have made them almost painfully aware of where I stand on most issues. :D

Of course you have. You're in your 60s. ;)

Depends what you talk about. If you talk about the weather or the consistency of the custard I'm covered with then No. Otherwise, probably. :)

Well, I've talked foreign policy with Anna Lindh, have talked gay issues with several MPs, and have talked about educational policy with the minister of education. Some met at "square meetings" as we call them, others through conventions, Anna Lindh on the train, the education minister through the University. Politicians are close to the people here.

Well, I've talked foreign policy with Anna Lindh, have talked gay issues with several MPs, and have talked about educational policy with the minister of education. Some met at "square meetings" as we call them, others through conventions, Anna Lindh on the train, the education minister through the University. Politicians are close to the people here.

Of course. You have to huddle together for warmth. ;)

Of course. You have to huddle together for warmth. ;)

Don't forget protection from the Polar Bears and those mean-spirited penguins.

I've e-mailed Jerry Moran, Sam Brownback, and Pat Roberts before. And I paged once in eighth grade for my state senator, Steve Morris. Does that count?

I met President Bush before he became President of the United States, that should count for something right?

I met President Bush before he became President of the United States, that should count for something right?

Let me guess, you were his coke dealer?

Don't forget protection from the Polar Bears and those mean-spirited penguins.


Penguins. the Ebeneezer Scrooge of the animal kingdom.


On topic, no, I haven't. That said, I've never been inclined to write to my MP, as the average backbencher has no real power and is owned by the whips. If I felt strongly about something, I'd rather be ignored by whitehall. At least that way I'm writing to those in power.

Don't forget protection from the Polar Bears and those mean-spirited penguins.

There are penguins in Sweden?!? :eek:

Of course you have. You're in your 60s. ;)
Yeah, I am. So?? :p

Well, I've talked foreign policy with Anna Lindh, have talked gay issues with several MPs, and have talked about educational policy with the minister of education. Some met at "square meetings" as we call them, others through conventions, Anna Lindh on the train, the education minister through the University. Politicians are close to the people here.
Excellent! Sweden sounds more and more attractive. :)

There are penguins in Sweden?!? :eek:

Yes. They are the scourge of the Stockholm archipelago during winter.

Yeah, I am. So?? :p

Older people tend to bitch more. :D

Holy shit, LG wrote a political thread! :eek:

Through the internet, I "sign" petitions and mail my reps pretty often. Libertarian-minded websites have a lot of initiatives like this going on, and I participate in them as often as I can.

Yes. They are the scourge of the Stockholm archipelago during winter.

And you're wasting your time talking about Education?!? My god, man! You're all going to die! :eek:

Older people tend to bitch more. :D
Ya think? Now I wonder where you got that idea, you wet-behind-the-ears neonate! Heh!

And you're wasting your time talking about Education?!? My god, man! You're all going to die! :eek:

You say that like it's a bad thing. They thin out the herd, and feast on the old folks we leave on the ice rafts.

You say that like it's a bad thing. They thin out the herd, and feast on the old folks we leave on the ice rafts.

That information might discourage Eutrusca from visiting. :p

You say that like it's a bad thing. They thin out the herd, and feast on the old folks we leave on the ice rafts.
I heard that!

Quote: Originally Posted by Fass

Let me guess, you were his coke dealer?


You would be wrong, my part of my family used to live in the same neighborhood as the Bushes and my step-dad went to college with W. For the record I do not use coke or any other illegal substance.
:) :mp5:

That information might discourage Eutrusca from visiting. :p

Hush!

Why do you think I'm luring him here?

I'm going to make a political-themed thread.

Calm down! This won't be a common occurrence. I'm not very good at debating. I have a bad habit of allowing people to keep their opinions, no matter how wrong they are.

But every once in a while, I get distressed by how many people(especially in the U.S.) talk a mean game, but rarely take the time to do anything about it.

Specifically this: How many politically-minded people here in Nationstates have actually written a letter or e-mail or in any way contacted their regional political representatives?Yes. As well as having been a congressional campaign staffer (for a Rep. Primary) and a staffer for a Democrat running for a State seat. Silly independent me.

I've also been known to write OpEds for regional papers. So I get heard a bit.

You would be wrong, my part of my family used to live in the same neighborhood as the Bushes and my step-dad went to college with W.

That means he probably knew his coke dealer. Lucky bastard.

For the record I do not use coke or any other illegal substance.
:) :mp5:

That's what Bush said too... :p

I heard that!
Remarkable, do the voices in your head often read the text aloud for you, or are they just being particularly helpful today?

Specifically this: How many politically-minded people here in Nationstates have actually written a letter or e-mail or in any way contacted their regional political representatives?


Does faxing pics of my genitals to my MP count?

Specifically this: How many politically-minded people here in Nationstates have actually written a letter or e-mail or in any way contacted their regional political representatives?
All the way from the lowly area council rep's to the top. I disagree with almost everything that goes on in my local version of representative democrazy, so I write long rants to various politicians (regardless of whether it's people from my party) on a regular basis. While I sometimes get some quite amusing replies, I can't shake the feeling that most of them would rather I parked my arse in front of the TV instead.

Basically it's a waste of energy. But I'll not let silly details like that stop me, hehe.

Basically it's a waste of energy. But I'll not let silly details like that stop me, hehe.
No, it's not a waste of energy. Most reps ( at least most here in the US. I don't know where you're from. ) give considerable weight to the input of constituents, particularly when they take the time to write them.

Oh me, me! I did! I even posted the response on the forum... :p

No, it's not a waste of energy. Most reps ( at least most here in the US. I don't know where you're from. ) give considerable weight to the input of constituents, particularly when they take the time to write them.
Perhaps, though I very much doubt that. I'm neither American nor from there though.

Here politicians usually have a secretary send some sort of confirmation that they've recieved the letter/email, but don't comment on the content. Sometimes, the recipient have clearly read the letter, and makes all sorts of comments, though.
In our democrazy, populism was not considered a valid approach to politics untill fairly recently. This means that people here (most of them anyway) won't just agree with anything you write & hardly ever makes any promises at all.
I have tried writing a few populists though, and sure enough, they all praise my efforts, my ideas, and promise to work to promote them... Bullshit. I've only ever written a couple of those people, to demonstrate to a friend of mine that they'll agree with anything as long as they believe there's a vote in it. Obviously I wrote proposing stuff radically opposed to their policies in all three cases - and I won 3 bottles of Whiskey in the process. I'm still considering whether I should publicise those corrospondences.

That said, I do write with a handful of politicians (on all levels) on a semi-regular basis. Those, of course, do listen to me, and seriously consider the ideas/reservations I have about various things. I doubt they would've ever read my letters if I wasn't so persistant about it though.

If you plan on writing your rep's, here's a couple of tips:
If you write emails, be very specific in your title. Snail mail is much better.
Do not communicate like you do on NSG.
Regardless of the media, keep it short, concise & try to keep the tone polite & humorous.

If you can make the man/woman smile AND think, then you've achived everything you can hope for.