Last week I got the notice from Organizing for America asking us to visit our local representatives. Politics are usually a spectator event for me; I read two newspapers, like to debate, and consider Rachel Maddow to be one of the best and most effective educators in existence.
But this whole "visit your congressperson" thing? What's the catch?
Turns out there really wasn't one. OFA was kind enough to give me the address of my congressman's local office, and a phone number to call to make sure it would be open, and a few highlights of President Obama's goals on health reform.
I have to admit I was a little hesitant. I've seen the chaos and screamers on TV. My rep - Michael McCaul (R) TX-10, isn't known for being a wildly progressive type. But on the other hand, he's no Michelle Bachmann or Rick Perry - I disagree with him, but I respect him.
So I went to his office this morning. No throngs of wild-eyed protestors, no jeering Glenn Beck paranoids. I was the only person in the office besides his local aide, a former teacher from the Houston area.
She was very pleasant and invited me into her office. We discussed presidential history, the oddities of the english language, and why people from Louisiana have a similar accent to many New Yorkers.
Eventually, we did discuss some of the proposals on health care. She explained that Rep. McCaul does believe changes are needed to the health care system, but wants more time and more specifics.
Asked about my own concerns, I said that I have two:
- Unpredictable and uncontrollable health insurance rates kill small businesses and cause many others to be simply never started. You can't attract talented employees if they have to worry about losing health insurance for their families.
- My own children have had access to good health care. When my time comes, if someone asks me "did you worry more about treating sick children, or demanding a $50 tax cut?", I want to be able to say I did the right thing.
What would I do differently?
I didn't know you could just walk in and bend their ear for a few minutes. This whole democracy thing is pretty cool.
I would have tried to research my representative's positions and recent statements on health care, so I could ask better questions.
I would have asked her to contact me when my representative had found a bill that he supports, and let me know what it does.
If you haven't yet signed up to visit your rep, you still can, right here. I urge you to. It's free, it's fun, and takes less time than it took me to write this diary entry.
I committed democracy today. I guess that makes me a Democrat.