After days of meaning to check in with my congressman and senators, I finally had the opportunity to do so. My two talking points (today, at least) consisted of the disturbing reports of a "deal" regarding telco immunity and my opposition to President Bush's recent suggestion to end the moratorium on off-shore oil exploration. Boy, am I glad I called!
I was told by the person who answered the phone in Senator Bob Menendez’s office that they had been deluged by calls encouraging drilling off-shore, drilling on public lands, drilling in ANWAR, drilling in their mother-in-law’s backyard or anywhere else a barrel of oil could be coaxed out of the ground. He was actually relieved to field a call from someone who opposed this latest and dim-witted initiative proposed by our lame-duck president (my description, not anyone’s in the office). Luckily, New Jersey’s other senator, Frank Lautenberg, already posted a scathing press release, ridiculing the plan as a gift to Big Oil. Congressman Sires’s office was also pleased to have feedback on this subject.
I'm sure a percentage of the callers are earnest people who will grasp at any straw for a quick solution to high gas prices--but I'm equally certain the majority of callers are corporate and republican shills.
There are several toll-free switchboard numbers for Congress:
800-614-2803
866-340-9281
866-338-1015
877-851-6437
800-459-1887
800-828-0498
Please take a few minutes to check in with your representatives on this issue. I was surprised to discover I was in the minority as far as feedback on off-shore oil exploration.
Excuse the brevity of this, my first diary, but I’m at work and can’t elaborate further.