Comments on: Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:29:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: “How to Avoid Constituents”: A Study Funded by Congress « Just Americans Making Ethical Statements Weblog http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-66842 “How to Avoid Constituents”: A Study Funded by Congress « Just Americans Making Ethical Statements Weblog Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:02:18 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-66842 [...] November 8, 2009 in Campaign 2008, Campaign 2010, Campaign 2012, Economy, Family values, Politics, socialism | Tags: CMF, Congress, constituents, Heritage Foundation, Tea Party Revolution, Townhalls Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office [...] [...] November 8, 2009 in Campaign 2008, Campaign 2010, Campaign 2012, Economy, Family values, Politics, socialism | Tags: CMF, Congress, constituents, Heritage Foundation, Tea Party Revolution, Townhalls Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office [...]

]]> By: News to Use « Hugoville http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-66136 News to Use « Hugoville Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:57:22 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-66136 [...] Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office (The Heritage Foundation, 10/28/09) [...] [...] Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office (The Heritage Foundation, 10/28/09) [...]

]]> By: bigyaz http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-65929 bigyaz Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:43:45 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-65929 The writer of this item sounds like yet another technophobe who no doubt can't program his 1990s-era VCR. This grant is about using new technology to make it *easier* for legislators to connect with constituents, so they don't have to spend a lot of our time and money on airplane trips, etc. If a legislator chooses to abuse technology by screening out unwelcome questions, he or she could do that in person as well. Technology has made it possible for us to get information in ways we never could before. This is just another example. Sorry if the world is moving too fast for you. The writer of this item sounds like yet another technophobe who no doubt can't program his 1990s-era VCR. This grant is about using new technology to make it *easier* for legislators to connect with constituents, so they don't have to spend a lot of our time and money on airplane trips, etc.

If a legislator chooses to abuse technology by screening out unwelcome questions, he or she could do that in person as well.

Technology has made it possible for us to get information in ways we never could before. This is just another example. Sorry if the world is moving too fast for you.

]]> By: SayUncle » The little people http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-65807 SayUncle » The little people Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:52:39 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-65807 [...] The Foundry: Congress is actually using your tax dollars to pay social scientists to find ways they can avoid actually talking to their constituents while improving their chances of reelection. [...] [...] The Foundry: Congress is actually using your tax dollars to pay social scientists to find ways they can avoid actually talking to their constituents while improving their chances of reelection. [...]

]]> By: Mike, Salt Point NY http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-65809 Mike, Salt Point NY Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:13:49 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-65809 I have no problem with the topic of the study. I would not want my representative stuck in the past. I don't complain when I get a typed response instead of a hand written letter. That is my representative using the fruits of technology to efficiently communicate with their constituents. If there are advances in communications, I would want those new avenues explored. With that said, I do have a problem with how the technology can be applied. If my representative only holds these tele-townhalls, that spells trouble. If they only have in-person townhalls on non-hot button issues, and tele-townhalls on the important issues to allow them cover, that's a problem. We just have to be vigilant at keeping our reps. responsible to the people who put them in office. Technology and information are neutral. They can be used or abused. We just need to be sure that our reps are using it correctly, for our benefit, not solely for their re-election. I have no problem with the topic of the study. I would not want my representative stuck in the past. I don't complain when I get a typed response instead of a hand written letter. That is my representative using the fruits of technology to efficiently communicate with their constituents. If there are advances in communications, I would want those new avenues explored.

With that said, I do have a problem with how the technology can be applied. If my representative only holds these tele-townhalls, that spells trouble. If they only have in-person townhalls on non-hot button issues, and tele-townhalls on the important issues to allow them cover, that's a problem. We just have to be vigilant at keeping our reps. responsible to the people who put them in office.

Technology and information are neutral. They can be used or abused. We just need to be sure that our reps are using it correctly, for our benefit, not solely for their re-election.

]]> By: Chris Van Herpe, Spa http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-65806 Chris Van Herpe, Spa Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:25:14 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-65806 There has never been a better time for a "throw the bums out" movement. We must do it in 2010 and continue to do it to show the polititions who is really in charge of our great republic. There has never been a better time for a "throw the bums out" movement. We must do it in 2010 and continue to do it to show the polititions who is really in charge of our great republic.

]]> By: Dwayne http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-65803 Dwayne Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:44:49 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-65803 We've been told for years by congressmen that they know what is best for the country. That we little folks don't know what is best for us, and that is why we need government. Well, if the congressmen can avoid confrontation, and can screen out those who disagree with them, of course their approval raitings will go up. Unfortunately, just because someone knows how to answer a questionaire on the computer, doesn't mean they have the intellengence to think in reality. We've been told for years by congressmen that they know what is best for the country. That we little folks don't know what is best for us, and that is why we need government. Well, if the congressmen can avoid confrontation, and can screen out those who disagree with them, of course their approval raitings will go up. Unfortunately, just because someone knows how to answer a questionaire on the computer, doesn't mean they have the intellengence to think in reality.

]]> By: L ,USA http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-65797 L ,USA Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:37:11 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-65797 NO INCUMBANTS should be re elected demand paper ballots NO INCUMBANTS should be re elected demand paper ballots

]]> By: Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-65650 Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:02:00 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-65650 [...] Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office The Foundry The story is short but important to know. [...] [...] Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office Congress Funds Study on How To Avoid Constituents, Stay in Office The Foundry The story is short but important to know. [...]

]]> By: Clarence, Northern C http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/28/congress-funds-study-on-how-to-avoid-constituents-and-stay-in-office/#comment-65679 Clarence, Northern C Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:25:22 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=18320#comment-65679 Right on, Gunney! It's our, "The People's", fault that we have a malfunctioning government loaded with self-serving politicians. As I was told when I joined the Corps long ago, "from here on you pack your own gear!" Problem is today we have too many folks who would rather some one else "packed their gear". As long as they keep getting something for nothing they'll vote the deadbeats back in office over and over. The responsible citizens, those "packing the gear", have to wake up in order for things to change as the "takers" like things just as they are and, sad to say, their numbers are growing by leaps and bounds in this Country. Semper fi Clarence Right on, Gunney! It's our, "The People's", fault that we have a malfunctioning government loaded with self-serving politicians. As I was told when I joined the Corps long ago, "from here on you pack your own gear!" Problem is today we have too many folks who would rather some one else "packed their gear". As long as they keep getting something for nothing they'll vote the deadbeats back in office over and over. The responsible citizens, those "packing the gear", have to wake up in order for things to change as the "takers" like things just as they are and, sad to say, their numbers are growing by leaps and bounds in this Country.

Semper fi

Clarence

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