thank-you calls

[redbird]

I made these calls because in general, people are more likely to call either to ask for something, or tell the representative why the caller thinks they're wrong about something.

I was looking at 5calls.org today, looking for something I could usefully call state-level representatives about. The entry for fighting mass deportations started with something like, Gov. Healey is doing the right thing, ask your governor to do the same. So I picked up the phone and called Healey's office to thank her for not allowing local law enforcement to carry out this policy, and please stick to that.

I also called Rep. Pressley to state my strong support for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Senator Warren to thank her for her work with that agency. Warren doesn't need a message, canned or otherwise, to remind her that the CFPB is a good thing.

Comments

[ride_4ever]

Go you for taking these actions!

[otter]

Thank you for calling. Ilhan Omar is asking folks if they want her to run for Senate, as Tina Smith announced her retirement. I responded with "yes", even though that leaves us with searching for a good person to run for House of Representatives.

[redbird]

I don't know what I'd tell Ayanna Pressley if Markey (or Warren, who's younger) was retiring. The person who had that Congressional seat before Ayanna was fine, but in 2018 we decided we wanted someone with more fire in her belly. (It's the sort of district where the Democratic primary is the election, the Republicans didn't even bother putting up a candidate.)

Looking at the flyers we got in the mail for that primary, the two candidates were both stating very similar policy positions--but now I have a Congressmember who sent out a newsletter about what to do if you (might) have to deal with ICE, and signed the message with "In service and solidarity."

[minoanmiss]

Being fairly fortunate in my elected reps this is the majority of the letters I send to them. I may have to scold Rep. Clark, though. A friend attended a town hall of hers and said it was price-of-eggs tonedeaf. But everything is moving so fast these days she may have clued in before I even finish my letter. I'll have to check.

[redbird]

Before January, some of my calls and letters were to be sure that the rep was aware of the issue, and my opinion as a constituent. For example, back in 2017, I called Pressley's predecessor to make sure he knew that Puerto Rico needed hurricane relief.