How Americans Should Use Their Senators and Representatives
Posted: Friday, August 28, 2009
by Joel Hirschhorn
http://www.delusionaldemocracy.com
It is a national pastime to criticize both Senators and Representatives for being in the pockets of big money and failing to do all that is appropriate and often urgently needed for the good of most Americans. What most Americans do not fully understand or take advantage of is that every member of Congress has staff devoted to constituent services.
The best use of constituent service staffers is when you have a concrete problem with some federal bureaucracy. When you believe you are being truly screwed, treated badly or treated in some way contrary to what you believe the law is. When you think that a member of Congress can use their official position to exert pressure where it can do some good on your behalf.
Here is my best example of how I used one of my senators to get me justice. At some point after I was 65 I applied for Medicare, which I presumed I had an absolute right to have as a citizen who had paid considerable money into Medicare over some 40 years of work. I was rejected, first by the local Social Security Administration through which one must go through. I was flabbergasted and could not understand the reasoning they provided. I was in a panic because I desperately needed health insurance from Medicare. So I went up a level and dealt with the national Social Security office, but they too said I was not eligible because of some arcane regulation having to do with my use of health insurance that I had accessed through my wife's employer, but no longer could use when my wife lost her job. Nothing made sense to me. So I went to the website of one my state's senators where I found a form to use to email a request for assistance from the constituent services staff.
Much to my amazement and considerable joy within a few days I received a phone call from someone in Social Security who was deeply apologetic for the ordeal I had gone through. I was told that I would, indeed, get my Medicare coverage in short order. I did. And the senator's office contacted me to make sure that I was being satisfied with what Social Security was doing. I surely was.
Sadly, I think millions of Americans find themselves in situations where they are dealt with unjustly or nastily by some federal agency, but all they do is crumble, complain and stay injured. And if one senator's office does not fix your problem, then you should try the other senator's office and if that too does not work, then you should identify your congressman and seek help from that office. Just be crystal clear from the beginning on the total nature of your problem and the solution you believe is absolutely necessary.
As taxpayers, voters and citizens we have every right to seek help from our elected representatives and to get satisfaction. That is the very least that our representatives in Congress can do for us. If you cannot find something useful on an official's website, then call their office. There may also be times when a personal visit to an office is necessary.
And also remember that your governor's office and state and even local elected officials also offer constituent services. And when you have problems with local, county or state agencies, you should definitely seek assistance from them.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Joel this is a wonderfully written article and so true. "The fare to ride the train of democracy is citizenship." Thank you for your critical insight.
I have had simlar experiences. The staffs are usually ready, willing, and able to work for their represenative's constituents. Sadly, when passing legislation, these reps have other interests in mind.
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