I've been raise to believe that it it better to complain about something and offer a solution, then to just complain. When I went to a town hall meeting over the eruption that happened when he switched views on the Iraq war, he was taking a pretty nasty beating from his constituents.
When he asked the audience what they would do for a solution to Iraq's problems, many of them simply said "Well that's what your job is" and didn't offer up solutions.
However, I did.
I mentioned that I have been to many places where the environment is hot and dry and nasty. When I am in those areas, if I am in a car or building without electricity or air conditioning, it puts me into a bad mood. Couple that with a lack of a job, and you can see how an environment like that can turn people into doing irrational things.
So, I mentioned to Congressman Baird that if he were to work to get the Iraqi's electricity, running water, and jobs, those three things would do significantly more to quell the violence then many of the other things that have been tried and have had limited success.
I was booed from many people, and the Congressman let people know that my ideas were valid ones and that he would look into it.
Granted, I did take what he said with a grain of salt and assumed I would never hear of the issue again.
Well today I got a letter from the Congressman:
Dear Mr. XXXX: <=== My name blacked out of course. :)
Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts about increasing electricity in Iraq as well as my town hall meeting. I appreciate hearing from you and I apologize for the delay in my reply. I would also like to thank you for your kind words of support.
I take my responsibility to represent the people who live in Southwest Washington very seriously, which is why I deeply appreciate you taking the time to write me. Hearing your comments and concerns on the important issues facing our country is important to me as I work to represent Southwest Washington in Congress. I believe that our nation's government is only as strong as the individuals who choose to actively participate in its improvement, and I am grateful when constituents take the time to contact me.
Again, I appreciate knowing your thoughts on this topic. I realize some time has passed since you sent your original correspondence. I want to extend my sincere apologies for not getting in touch with you sooner. I receive a sizeable amount of letters each week which sometimes prevents a speedy reply.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to do so in the future if I may be of further assistance. In addition, I invite you to visit my website at http://www.house.gov/baird/IMA/email.shtml and sign up for periodic email updates about my work in Congress.
Granted, he didn't exactly tell me anything new, but it is refreshing to hear from my Congressman, or at the very least, my Congressman's staff.
Whether or not he's doing something remains to be seen, but since I do get correspondence from Congress from time to time, I thought I'd share with you all what goes on behind the scenes.
Travis
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