I love the Internet! Never before have I written a CongressCritter!

MrBigglesworth

New member
My fellow TFLers.

I love the Internet!

I have been using it close to 6 years now and love the power of what can be done on it every single day!

As I am 23 years of age this Election Day will be my first to participate in. I had no idea on how to register to vote but found sites like beavoter.org that was able to help my registration process get started.

I have also found sites like http://congress.org/ that have helped me write my Congressional Reps in office recently about issues concerning gun control. What amazed me the most however was that within a few weeks I got responses back from each of them that not only were signed but completely agreed with me on everything related to our gun rights!

I recently took advantage of the power of the Internet to address the recent SB-2099 that would require us taxpayers to list what guns we own on our 2000 1040 form and pay the appropriate (yea right) tax and get our guns registered in the same stroke.

Never before have I felt that I could be a part of the system in some small way to show my voice and my opinion and how it affects this country of ours!

I implore all of my TFL brethren to take advantage of the Internet as I have if you have not done so already and help make our voices heard loud and proud!

With the congress.org website I was able to email 4 of my reps at one time! Only had to select my 5th rep with the strike of my back button on my browser.

Again. We cannot let this election go to Gore, nor can we allow senseless registration harm us in regards to the (improper) taxation of our firearms!!!


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Try to take away my gun...and you will see my 2nd Amendment Right in ACTION!!! -Me

FOR THE CHILDREN!!!!
 
To begin with.. it escapes me as to how you could be 23 and NOT be a registered voter yet.. unless you're a new citizen?

At any rate, don't get to heated over Emailing your comments in. I think that to handwrite a letter gives you more credibility... but thats just my opinion. I think it means more.. or should mean more if you take a moment to lick a stamp to send your opinions in rather than Email it in. On a side note.. don't get so happy that they agreed with everything you said. I've even written Republican representatives on issues who have voted contrary to the letter that I received saying that they agreed with me. It happens. However, I am greatly troubled that I received a 100% personalized letter from the late Paul C. Coverdell (Sen, GA) regarding issues on rights and gun ownership.. and I have since misplaced it. It was very disturbing to loose such a great Senator who truely worked for the people. :(

However -- I do commend you on your action. I need to take this weekend to mail several letters myself.

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
Gee...thanx for shooting me down!

If email was less valid then why have I received paper responses from DC signed by these people?

And as for not registering before lets say I am a lot smarter now than I am then. I have learned my lesson on that regard. Sometimes I hate the Internet for reasons such as this that no matter where you are someone is always out to clip your wings! :(

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Try to take away my gun...and you will see my 2nd Amendment Right in ACTION!!! -Me

FOR THE CHILDREN!!!!
 
MrBigglesworth,

You're right. There is a lot of opportunity on the Internet, both to gather information and to make your opinions known.

And, no matter how you do it: email, fax, snailmail, telephone, letting your Congresscritter know how you feel and that you are a voter is always better than sitting around grumbling to yourself.

Let 'em know what you think as often and as many ways as you can.
 
Mr. Bigglesworth,

There's nothing wrong with e-mail to spread the pro-gun message. Keep exercising the keyboard. The neat thing about e-mail is that it's EASY to write at least one per day, either to Congress, to the Editor, to anti-gun business, to pro-gun business, to friends concerning 2A issues. There have been days when I crank out a handful of different e-mails. And while they might not have quite the impact of a handwritten letter (this type of correspondence is physical and requires the recipient to actually do something with it), e-mailing each day makes you feel better, gives you a constructive outlet for your opinions, and gets the 2A message out. Keep e-mailing!

Sub
 
MrBigglesworth - keep at it sir!

As for getting your wings clipped - ignore the naysayers - recognize that we gun owners are a self-destructive lot. Just check out the Ted Nugent thread.

On occasion though, do send in a hand-written letter just to keep 'em honest. And, ask 'em questions. If they respond to them then you know you are getting through.

Don't forget the Letter to the Editor either.
If it gets published, there's a chance you'll convert a fence-sitter.
 
Mr. Bigglesworth, welcome to the world of the working stiff. At applaud your interest in maintaining contact with your congresspersons. Permit me to offer a word of advice about sales (and that is what politics is all about). You can never eliminate the need for personal contact when selling your position to someone else. While email is a blessing in terms of ease of use, immediacy, and convenience; it is likewise a curse because it is so convenience.

You will increase the acceptance of your message if you focus on the human element. Use email but also learn to craft tightly worded paper letters. Learn how to make a telphone call. Learn how to make a visit to your congressperson's regional office.

Sales is about people. Keep that in mind and your message will have a greater chance of acceptance. Remember, professional lobbists are the master of the human element.

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Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

Barry Goldwater--1964
 
Hey, Mr B!
I did the same thing about SB-2099 and here's one response from a Senator:
_______________________________________________
Dear Friend:

Thank you for letting me know you oppose the Handgun Safety and Registration Act of 2000, S. 2099. Currently this bill is
awaiting consideration in the Senate Committee on Finance. It is unlikely that the Committee will vote on this bill this year.

I have always been a strong supporter of the constitutional rights of law abiding Americans to own firearms for self-defense,
hunting or other legal uses. Access to firearms is more limited by law now than it has ever been in our history. I do not believe that adding new restrictions on responsible firearms owners would be prudent or effective in reducing crime. What is needed most is effective enforcement of existing laws to punish those who illegally use or purchase firearms.

Sincerely,


John Ashcroft (R-MO)
http://ashcroft.senate.gov



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Going Nowhere? Join Me There! Enjoy your stay!
 
Bottom line Biggy, you're doing something! Keep it up. You will find it easier as you continue. Letters are nice but I'm on a first name basis with my Representative's aid. She's a great gal and I encourage you to call. Talking to them and getting to know the ones who can influence your Rep. Also make a point to turn out when they show up, introduce yourself and thank them or damn them for a subject you have written about. Most like the flattery bit. I've taken state reps. out for lunch. Anything you do is a plus given that most sit on their butox doing nothing. Think of it this way, you might not think it's much, but your word, comment, or letter, might just be the last one that person hears before making their decision. Take your time, keep your powder dry and fire away. Any 23 year old who sees what this country is about is to be commended. I am proud to count you amoung us! Keep up the good work! Geeze, I just realized, I'm exactly twice your age. Well there's one consolation,I grew up in the free-love era. Naany naany, boo, boo!
 
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