The Accountable Legislator 101

  The Accountable Legislator should be the norm rather than the exception but voters go to the polls, cast their ballots and are pretty much done with politics until the next election. Americans send these legislators to Congress thinking they will do their job and protect our interests without anymore involvement from voters. Nothing is further from the truth. Americans don't realize that these new legislators are indoctrinated before they are sworn in. They are told how they are expected to vote, whose lead to follow, which lobbyists pay the most perks etc.

   Just before Christmas, I was listening to a radio show and one Senator was on the air (I forgot his name and since I was driving, didn't write it down) he made a statement that threw me. He told the radio host that "people don't realize how bad it is in the Congress. If, legislators don't follow along with certain agendas, they are punished." Punished?
   He didn't have time to go into detail but it gave listeners some insight that among other things there is a great deal of bullying going on.

  
   The new Congress is now in office. If we want to see any real change in this government, we need to get actively involved.  It isn't enough to just go to the polls, vote and leave those elected alone. We must stay in contact. It would only take about 15 - 20 minutes a week to email, FAX or call your senators and representatives. Look at the what bills are coming up, look through them and give your elected officials your input. Make it a habit to do this every week. Don't just think that various activist groups will get the job done, legislators need to hear from individual voters. They actually want to hear from voters and voters don't realize this. They work for us and that includes, the president. Don't just stop with those from your own state. Collectively they get their salaries from the taxpayer, we have every right to contact all of them!

  This past week, I contacted my representative 3 times: 1 to voted against the fiscal deal bill, (he did), 2 to strip away the pork in the Hurricane Sandy Bill (he did), and 3 to thank him for doing the right thing.

   Even if your legislator votes against what you wanted, contact him and blast him for it. Let him/her know that you will not forget at the polls and you will make sure that others know what he/she is really about. Voters have every right to have their say and remind these people where their pay comes from.

It is time to take this country back, making comments on Face Book or various sites that you may be a member of isn't going to change anything. Contacting legislators directly will! Then feel free to post to your page on Face Book what you did and maybe you will inspire other to do the same. We can't just sit on the sidelines anymore and expect Congress to do the right thing. We have to take an active part and make our voices heard! Don't forget your state legislators too!

Let's start doing our own arm twisting!

Easily track the activities of Congress

Pending Bills in Congress

USA Government Website